Arena Racing comments on BHA small field initiatives

Following the publication of the 2015 Fixture List and today’s announcement by the British Horseracing Authority’s (“BHA”) approach to small field sizes Tony Kelly, Arena Racing Managing Director, said:

“Following the publication of the 2015 Fixture List, today’s announcement sets out what ARC expected from the very outset. In July, as part of our detailed response to the BHA’s 2015 Fixture List Consultation, we set out our concerns and a number of positive initiatives which could have been trialled using targeted and measurable methods for addressing field sizes.

“The BHA has chosen to focus on shrinking the size of British Racing, regardless of the economic impact on the sport. Using research by Deloitte, the BHA’s own analysis has made clear that cutting races will cost British Racing over £4 million per annum (based on 300 lost races) through lost levy, commercial and media rights income. There remains no credible explanation from the BHA, or plan in place, to recover this lost income, even in the medium term

“Furthermore, we remain deeply concerned with the methods used to allocate BHA Leasehold fixtures, not only for 2015, but also the current proposals in place for the next two years.

“We welcome the BHA’s recognition of the role the All-Weather Championships are having on field sizes. This illustrates the positive impact an innovative approach can have and we look forward to publishing further details tomorrow ahead of the 2014-15 Championships commencing at Lingfield Park on Thursday 30 October.”