'Premier' meetings planned in ambitious British racing shake-up

The 2024 fixture list is set for a shake up after the British Horseracing Authority board approved a number of changes, with a 'premier' racing tier to be introduced, along with restricted action at a peak period on most Saturday afternoons and a trial of Sunday evening meetings.

Several "core principles" established as part of British racing's cross industry strategy are at the heart of the planned reforms, with the aim to grow "the sport's reach, appeal to new fanbases and better engage existing customers", with the changes representing the "vital first step in longer-term improvements to the structure, funding and promotion of the racing product".

Adjustments will be implemented and assessed over an initial two-year period.

A new 'premier' tier will be introduced, boasting higher prize-money and top-quality racing, with a two-hour "shop window" period - usually 2-4pm - established on most Saturday afternoons. That period will be restricted to three meetings, including up to two 'premier' cards, with other Saturday fixtures scheduled to start after the window ends or, on occasions, before it opens.

Sunday racing has also come under the microscope, with plans to create new 'premier' fixtures on Sunday afternoons as well as trialling six evening floodlit fixtures between January and March next year, during a time of the week where "betting activity tends to be strong".

Those six fixtures will be spread between Kempton, Southwell, Chelmsford, Newcastle and Wolverhampton - the five floodlit UK tracks - with meetings moved from midweek slots.

The BHA is also keen to boost the "core racing" product, which involves moving fixtures to later in the day and "making the most of our core fixtures during major festivals and supporting