BHA publishes 2016 horseracing fixture list

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today published the Fixture List for 2016, with a total of 1,482 fixtures programmed. The headline elements of the Fixture List are:

• A total of 1,482 fixtures have been scheduled, 11 more than in 2015.
• The ratio of fixtures in 2016 – Jump 40.0% : Flat Turf 38.7% : All Weather 21.3% – remains broadly similar to last year (2015: Jump 40% : Flat Turf 39.1% : All Weather 20.9%) despite the addition of a new All Weather racecourse to the market
• 888 Flat fixtures scheduled (six more than in 2015). Of these fixtures, 573 are Flat Turf fixtures (two fewer than 2015) while 315 are All Weather fixtures (only eight more than originally scheduled in 2015, despite 17 Turf fixtures at Newcastle having been converted to All Weather fixtures)
• 594 Jump fixtures scheduled (five more than 2015)#
• There are 1,219 racecourse fixtures (the same as 2015), 198 BHA Fixtures (five more than 2015), 19 Pre-Allocated BHA Fixtures (two more than 2015) 13 Self-Funded fixtures (four more than 2015), and 33 Enterprise/Other Fixtures (the same as 2015)
• By betting session there will be 1,118 afternoon fixtures, 258 evening fixtures and 106 twilight fixtures (2015: 1,108, 252 and 111 respectively)
• 13 Self-Funded Fixtures were allocated, compared to nine in 2015. Self-Funded Fixtures have only been approved where prize money thresholds – agreed in consultation with stakeholders – have been met. Also, in recommending applications, the BHA Board took consideration of Inspectorate approval, horse population, geography, the overall balance of the Fixture List, and other fixtures taking place on the day in question.

Newcastle racecourse, the new entrant to the All Weather marketplace, received 13 Flat fixtures via the Fixture Allocation Process. This, added to the 17 fixtures which were converted to the All Weather surface and seven transferred to Newcastle from within the ARC group means that Newcastle will stage 37 Flat fixtures in 2016 alongside an unchanged number of Jump fixtures (12).

Nick Rust, CEO of BHA, commented on the fixture list:

“I’m pleased we have been able to publish the Fixture List much earlier this year than has been the case in previous years. We are grateful to the racecourses for their part in this, especially those who engaged in the process of ironing out some of the geographical clashes which were so frustrating to horsemen, racecourses and the racing public alike.

“One of British Racing’s strongest assets is the quality and variety of its Racing. As such we are pleased to have broadly maintained the balance between Jump, Flat Turf and All Weather fixtures despite our Board’s decision to permit the entrance of an All Weather track in the North. The fact that the balance has been maintained is due to the robust and fair Allocation Process for BHA Fixtures which rewards sporting performance alongside prize money contribution.