2024 racing fixture list: BHA confirms launch of 170 ‘Premier Racedays’, Sunday evening fixtures and more prize money

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has confirmed the launch of 170 Premier Racedays as part of a major overhaul of the racing calendar for 2024.

The changes, which will initially be introduced on a two-year trial basis, are intended to increase prize money and the quality of the races’ marquee meetings.

All Premier Racedays will feature a minimum number of higher class races, higher minimum prizes – no race will be run for less than £20,000 (flat) and £15,000 (jumps) – and those running on Saturday will have “room to breathe”. ” with a “protected window” to reduce the number of luminaire conflicts.

There will also be significant investment in Sunday racing with the aim of increasing engagement and revenue across the weekend, while overall there will be a reduction of 300 jumps races and 20 meets of jumps which the BHA hopes will create more competitive races and improve the size of the field.

The plans are backed by an extra £3.8 million from the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) for Premier Racedays and the BHA says industry modeling projects an estimated £90 million improvement in British racing finances over a five-year period from 2024 to 2028.

Julie Harrington, chief executive of the BHA, said: “Developing this year’s calendar has been a truly collaborative process on a scale I have never seen before in our industry, with sport pulling in the same direction to achieve a common goal. I am extremely grateful to my BHA teams and everyone who has engaged so constructively in this process.

“There was agreement across the industry that action was needed to increase the appeal of racing to customers as soon as possible, as well as to address the headwinds the sport is currently facing confronted with.

“We accept and expect that with significant changes there will always be some who feel that the cards have not fallen in their favor. However, the objective of these changes is that they develop the sport as a whole, with benefits that extend to everyone. the entire industry in the medium and long term.

“This is the first major step in what is a long-term transformation plan. The changes are expected to generate more revenue, which will allow us to invest in other key areas, including attracting new fans and owners and increasing the reward and recognition of all our existing participants.

“All these changes are being introduced on an experimental basis. They will be closely monitored and measured.”