Race Planning
Race Planning Glossary
Glossary of Terms
Abandoning a Race (not meeting)
a) Any race which is not a Pattern, Listed, early closing or the Final of race series which receives less than 5 entries may be abandoned by the Racecourse Executive up to 10 am on the day following closing. However, with the introduction of re-opening and re-offering races, this is less likely to occur.
b) When it is unlikely that you will be able to stage certain races due to the state of the track and there is sufficient time to take action, the relevant races (hurdle races/steeplechases/particular distance at a Flat course) could be abandoned and replaced by more suitable races (i.e. all chase or hurdle card or change distance of a Flat race). Please note that this can only be achieved with consultation and approval of the BHA Racing Department and BHA Racecourse Department.
Allowances (horses)
Certain race conditions contain allowances, which are weight concessions for horses that might be considered to be disadvantaged in some way, such as horses that have never raced, or maidens. A maximum allowance is generally stipulated if such allowances are likely to be cumulative. Allowances are generally in the region of 3lb per allowance, which is deducted from the weight that the horse would ordinarily carry under standard weight-for-age regulations. Other than in Handicaps and Banded Stakes fillies and mares shall receive allowances of 3lb-5lb for Flat races and allowances of 7lb for Jump races.
Allowances (riders)
In most races (bar Pattern, Listed and Class 1 & 2 WFA Flat races, the John Smith’s Grand National and Class A & B WFA Jump races) Apprentices, Conditional Jockeys are entitled to claim allowances ranging from 3lb -7lb in accordance with their ability. Conditional Jockeys will be allowed to claim a further 3lb if they ride a horse trained by their employer until they have won 5 races. Amateur Riders can claim between 3lb - 7lb in Handicaps and Selling races confined to Amateur Riders and all WFA races bar Classes A and B. The letter ‘A’ will appear underneath race conditions when a rider cannot claim an allowance under Rule 109.
Appearance Money Scheme
Started in 1999 the Scheme is closely linked to the VAT Scheme for racehorse owners and is now used to encourage certain types of horses and runners for certain races. The 2008 Scheme is fully funded by the Levy Board and used as follows:-
2008
Flat Conditions Stakes Cl 2/3 £250
Novice Chase WFA Cl 1/2/3 £300
Sunday Payments £120
In previous years race types such as Juvenile/Novice Hurdles and Mares Steeple Chases were supported, but due to a 50% cut in funding, these will no longer be funded.
Some racecourses offer their own appearance money arrangements for certain key fixtures/races. This will count towards Merit Table calculations.
Attendants Clothing (AC)
This is branded attendants clothing, but only if a sponsor has an historic agreement to provide them (i.e. Vodafone Derby). This agreement will override owners’ sponsorship arrangements and attendants cannot refuse to wear the clothes provided in such circumstances.
Auction Races
Specific races for which horses are only eligible if they have passed through a certain Auction House, e.g. The £200,000 St Leger Yearling Sales Stakes for two-year-olds at Doncaster, which is for horses that were catalogued in the Doncaster Bloodstock Sales St Leger Yearling Sales in a specified year. The Sales Company and Racecourse Executive guarantee a certain level of contribution (minimum 10% of the total race value), with the added commitment that any shortfall in the Guaranteed Minimum Value of the race is met. Not to be confused with median/maiden auction races (see below).
Banded Stakes
Races that were run at a Regional fixture for horses rated below 46 allocated a banding by the handicapper or as specified in the race conditions. Although the conditions of certain Class 7 races allow for higher rated horses to enter. Banded Stakes will be discontinued in 2007. Most races have been replaced with lowly rated Classified Stakes.
BAGS Payment
BAGS = British Afternoon Greyhound Service currently pays racecourses (excluding GG-Media tracks) for their racing pictures which are being distributed to all betting shops. However, payment varies due to factors such as number of runners (penalties for fields size below 8), time of the meeting (afternoon/evening) and type of meeting (National/Regional).
Basic Daily Rate (BDR)
This is the prize money allocated to each racecourse by the Levy Board. Based primarily on the Merit Table (see below), the racecourses which demonstrate better performances receive a higher prize money allocation the following year. BDR payments are allocated according to the Fixture Criteria: the full BDR amount for a Criteria fixture, 80% of the BDR for an evening and 50% BDR for a Non-Criteria fixture. Other factors taken into consideration include a percentage award for betting turnover and gross profit generated (currently 25%) and an element of underpinning.
BHA Leasehold Fixtures will receive a set BDR. Levels of those BDRs are agreed in advance between the HBLB, RCA and BHA. Enterprise Fixtures do not receive a BDR in the first year that they are staged (see Enterprise Fixtures).
Beginners’ Steeple Chase
Is a Steeple Chase for horses that have never won a Steeple Chase at any recognised meeting in any country other than a Match or Private Sweepstake, or a Steeple Chase at a Point-to-Point meeting in Great Britain. Not to be confused with a Maiden Steeple Chase.
Breeders’ Prizes (BP)
The breeder of an eligible horse will be qualified to receive a Breeders’ Prize payment in respect of relevant races won by an eligible horse (see Order 196 and Instruction J4 of the Orders and Rules of Racing). Races eligible are indicated with the abbreviation “BP” underneath the conditions of a race.
Claiming Race
Any horse which runs in a Claiming race can be claimed at its advertised price following the race. This price is a minimum £2,000. A maximum Claiming price is also set and horses which are advertised below that price will carry less weight than a more expensive rival.
The claiming price of each horse will be subject to an additional 10% Premium (plus VAT), which is split equally between the Buyer and the Owner. Racecourses have the option to alter the % to whichever level they feel is appropriate.
An updated version of the Protocol for Claimants is now available for download from the Racing Administration Internet site www.racingadmin.co.uk.
See also ‘Premier Claiming Race’.
Classification of Races
Races are classified (Class 1 to 7 for Flat and Class 1 to 6 Jumping) in relation to the quality of the race. The classification of the race indicates the races minimum value or meritocracy band for prize money.
Classified Stakes
This is Flat Conditions Race or a weight-for-age Steeple Chase or Hurdle race other than a Maiden or Novice race, where horses entered in these races must have handicap ratings at or below a set figure, e.g. 0-95. The intention is to provide a non-handicap opportunity for horses with similar ratings, which in theory produces a competitive race.
Conditions Race
Any Flat race which is not: a Handicap, a Novice Race, a Maiden, Apprentice or Amateur Race, or a Selling or Claiming Race.
Conditions Stakes
Is a Flat race which has not been awarded Pattern or Listed status, is not a Handicap or a Novice race, is not restricted to Maidens, is not governed by Selling or Claiming provisions and is not restricted to Apprentice or Amateur riders if less than £7,500 in added to stakes.
Consolation Race
A race in which horses that were balloted out of a feature (Heritage) Handicap will be able to compete in a similar race the day before, but for less prize money. There are currently 4 such races: Vodafone Stewards’ Cup/Sprint at Goodwood, Tote Ayr Gold/Silver Cup, William Hill Lincoln/Spring Mile at Doncaster and the Carling Carlisle Bell.
Development Fund
This has been designed as a method to ensure diversity in the race programme by providing sufficient opportunities for high caliber racehorses in order to maintain and enhance the development of the thoroughbred. The Fund is generated from any surplus funds accrued over and above the fixture bidding process. The BHA Racing Department is in charge of the administration.
Division of Races
If the time for declaration has passed and the number of horses in a race exceeds the Safety Factor the race will divide. However, if this number is less than 20, then the race will NOT divide. The following races will be permitted to divide (Instruction B1):
a) Open Maiden, Rating Related Maiden, Maiden Median Auction, Maiden Auction, Novice Auction, Novice Median Auction and Novice Flat races with Total Prize Fund of £10,000 or less;
b) Weight-for-Age Hurdle races in which the Total Prize Fund is £7,000 or less, other than Classified Stakes, Selling or Claiming races;
c) Weight-for-Age Steeple Chases in which the Total Prize Fund is £8,000 or less, other than Classified Stakes, Selling or Claiming races or Hunter Chases.
d) National Hunt Flat Races of £5,000 or less;
e) Any Flat race with a Total Prize Fund of £10,000 or less run at an AWT outside the period when Flat racing on Turf takes place, other than Selling races.
- From 1 January 2008, the deduction for all races value £2,750 or above will be £750 for each division and for those races below £2,750 the prize money will be reduced to £2,000 each.
- Although a Class 7 race is not permitted to divide, if a Racecourse wishes to wholly finance such a race division itself, it is permitted to do so following consultation with the Racing Department. The budget for 2008 is £855,000.
Early Closing Races
From 1 January 2008, early closing races will close at noon on Tuesday. Weatherbys will provide the list of entries to the racecourse and, if required, its sponsor as soon as possible on the same (Tuesday) afternoon. The list of entries will also be released to the Racing Post and Racing Pages at this time, embargoed until noon on the following day (Wednesday). This, however, would be on the understanding that they are for internal use only and that those connected with the horses should not be contacted until after the embargo has passed. The list of entries will be published on the Racing Administration website at noon on Wednesday (24 hours after entries have closed).
Embargoes
The information published after entry and forfeit stage of Early Closing Races is subject to an embargo. Therefore, it should not be published or made available to the general public until this deadline has passed unless special permission to do so has been obtained beforehand from the BHA. The embargo deadlines are as follows:
Entry Stage – closes 12 noon Wednesday
- Weights for Age races: until 12 noon the following day (Thursday)
- Handicap races: until 12 noon the following day (Thursday). Weights embargoed until 12 noon of the Wednesday prior to their publication in the Racing Calendar.
Forfeit Stage – normally closes 12 noon Tuesday
- Forfeit acceptors embargoed until 12 noon the following day (normally Wednesday).
Enterprise Fixture
The concept of Enterprise Fixtures was successfully implemented into the 2008 Fixture List. These fixtures will receive no central funding in their first year, but could be integrated into the Fixture List and become Racecourse fixtures over a period of three years provided that they receive sufficient coverage in betting shops. Depending on the Levy Board prize money budget, funding for Enterprise fixtures would be on the basis of 0% in year 1, 50% BDR in year 2, 75% in year 3 and full funding in year 4. Any other racecourse losing LBO coverage would continue to receive funding in 2008, but not thereafter and may wish to move to a criteria gap or remain in its historic slots without central funding. The Racecourse Executive is required to provide a minimum of £40,000 for Flat and £30,000 for Jump racing prize money contribution for each fixture. It should be noted that this will not count towards the Merit Table calculations until the fixture has become a Racecourse Fixture.
Entry Processing Fee
Non-refundable fee payable by Racecourses to the BHA, which equates to £5.57 (plus VAT) for every entry received. Owners also pay an entry processing fee (refundable), which is additional to the stake and in 2008 amounts to £14.98 + VAT if it is processed via the BHA Racing Administration website. The fee goes up to £16.09 + VAT if the entry is made via the Weatherbys call centre. Also added to the entry fee are an additional £1.20 for the Animal Health Trust and £0.50 towards the welfare of former racehorses.
Evening Meeting
A race meeting where the first race is programmed to start after 4pm. Not to be confused with Twilight Fixtures (see below).
European Breeders’ Fund (EBF)
The Fund was established as a European counterpart to the Breeders' Cup scheme which was being set up in the USA for the purpose of revitalizing the American racing industry through revenue being drawn from stallion fees. The EBF was intended to be not only a measure of self-help for European racing, but also a means of securing access for European horses to some of the benefits of the Breeders' Cup scheme through Cross-Registration.
Each EBF country must ensure that at least 70% of
maiden two year old races are confined to EBF Eligible horses.
ANY other races may be supported by the EBF, and be confined to EBF Eligible horses. A race confined to EBF-eligible horses is indicated with ‘EBF’ underneath the conditions of a race.
Field Size Limit (FSL)
Is the limit on the number of runners that can take part in a race which is either linked to a Racecourse’s Stable Capacity (see Instruction D21) or to the number of starting stalls used by the Racecourse. All Class 1 races and Heritage Handicaps (including consolation races) are unaffected by this measure. Potential race divisions will be taken into account. FSL’s are advertised in the Racing Calendar and/or Racing Administration Internet Site. Not to be confused with Safety Factor or Maximum (see below).
Fixture
These fall into four categories:
a. Racecourse Fixtures – These comprise 1,203 fixtures in Racecourse ownership prior to 2002. These fixtures will not need to be bid for, the race programme can be determined by the Racecourse and the fixture offers a greater security of tenure and generally superior positioning in the fixture list.
b. Leasehold Fixtures – These will be awarded on a leasehold basis ranging from 1 to 3 years and will be awarded to the highest bidder. Fixture composition and race programme to be decided in consultation with the BHA Racing Department.
c. Self-Funded Fixtures – These are currently only granted in exceptional circumstances. These fixtures will receive no funding from the HBLB (i.e. no BDRs or integrity funding).
d. Enterprise Fixtures – Introduced in 2008 in order that more commercially attractive slots were available to racecourses. These fixtures are surplus to the fixture criteria and will receive no funding in the first year, but could become fully funded over a period of four years if they are shown in a sufficient number of betting shops. Minimum prize money contribution from Racecourse Executive amounts to £40,000 for Flat and £30,000 for Jump fixtures.
Fixture Criteria
The Criteria is based on the requirements of the off-course betting industry. Criteria fixtures fill necessary gaps in the Fixture List and receive the full Basic Daily Rate payment for that day. The 2008 Fixture Criteria is as follows:
• 2 afternoon fixtures on Monday and Tuesday.
• 3 afternoon fixtures from Wednesday to Friday and Sunday.
• 4 afternoon fixtures on Saturdays and Bank Holidays.
• 2 evening fixtures from Monday to Saturday during the period mid-April to end of August.
• Maximum of 5 fixtures on any day from Monday to Friday (of which no more than 3 be afternoon fixtures).
• No afternoon criteria break.
• During September to May inclusive, reserve criteria status to 3rd afternoon fixtures on Monday and Tuesday and for 4 AWT fixtures during Christmas week.
• 1 evening fixture (Floodlit AWT) from Wednesday to Saturday starting from 1 January to start Turf season and from 1 September to end of December.
Non-criteria fixtures only receive 50% of the Basic Daily Rate funding as these are surplus to requirements and only applies to historic Bank Holiday fixtures. Evening fixtures do not generate as much turnover as midweek afternoons and thus receive only 80% funding from the Basic Daily Rate.
Fixture Fee
Fixture fee grants, which support the costs of the BHA’s Field Forces and the BHA’s Handicappers, are a key part of integrity funding.
The fixture fee grant to racecourses for the 2008 Fixture List is £7,356 per fixture.
Fixture Incentive Scheme
A set amount awarded almost exclusively to midweek fixtures by the Levy Board, the Fixture Incentive Scheme has been devised to facilitate the achievement of the Fixture Criteria for that year by encouraging racecourses to race at times which may not be racegoer-friendly, but are necessary for the generation of the levy. Winter Sunday fixtures and those courses racing against high profile fixtures (i.e. Cheltenham Festival) will also receive an incentive.
Forfeits
Most major races, whether Flat or Jump, have at least 1 forfeit stage. After making the initial entry, the horse must be forfeited from the race by a set date if it is not intended to run, whilst those intending to run must pay the next entry fee. Such a system means that owners are not required to pay the full charge of entry immediately for a race with early closing (the closing date for which can be several months in advance of the race) and are only asked to pay the full amount in stages as the race draws nearer and the likelihood of running can be ascertained.
48-Hour Declarations Currently, 48-hour declarations are used for:
- All Flat fixtures
- All Sunday NH fixtures
- All Grade 1 non-Novice Steeple Chase and Hurdle races
- Grade 3 Steeple Chase are optional at discretion of the Racecourse
Free Handicap
A race where all horses within certain criteria are entered automatically, with no stake or forfeit to pay, and horses within the handicap need to be withdrawn by a certain stage or are assumed to have accepted the entry.
Full Weight Range Handicap
A well established feature handicap race that a course cannot justify at or gain approval for Heritage Handicap status but which BHA have given approval to be run using the full weight range (28lb) i.e. no Handicap Band.
Graduation Chase
Steeple Chases for horses which have not won more than 2 steeple chases, which will allow a wide spectrum of horses to qualify, including novices, relatively seasoned handicappers and some horses which it could be argued have been denied suitable racing experience as a novice due to injury.
Guaranteed Minimum Value
Is the amount advertised in the race conditions which the racecourse undertakes will be the total prize money in a sweepstakes even if the sum of the Stakes and the Money Added to stakes do not together amount to that sum.
Guaranteed Sweepstakes
Only used for Charity races. The total stakes go to the winner and placed horses. The racecourse guarantees that the total prize money will not be less than a certain amount (the guaranteed sweepstake) and, if the total stakes is higher than the guaranteed amount, the race will be worth the value of the total stakes.
Handicap
A race where the weights for the horses are dependent on the official ratings allotted by the handicapper, whose intention is to give every horse an equal chance of winning, subject to the provision of Orders 94 and 95.
Handicap Bands (Flat)
Introduced in 2004, a Handicap race (usually) restricted to a 15lb weight range, an extension of the Rated Stakes. (When necessary the use of a floating weight range may extend this). During June, July and August the weight range is increased to 20lb. Also, races over 1m5f will have a 20lb range.
Handicap Rating
Is the number allocated to a horse by the Handicapper on his assessment of that horse’s performance.
Hands & Heels Races
The Hands and Heels Apprentice and Jumps Series for riders who have ridden not more than 10 races at the start of the series, (the latter series being for conditional jockeys and category A and B Amateurs), are created in order to encourage race riding skills and develop a Jockey’s ability to motivate a horse without resorting to the whip. British Racing School Jockey Coaches attend all races, walk the course with riders, brief them and carry out video reviews with them immediately following the race.
Heritage Handicap
Is a Handicap race identified as such by the BHA Directors which has a minimum Total Prize Fund of £35,000. All races are well established handicaps with a tradition of attracting a good number of runners in a competitive race.
Horserace
Means any race in which any horse runs with any other horse in competition for any prize of any kind or nature whatsoever or for the purposes of deciding the result of any bet or wager and at which more than 20 persons (not including participants in the race) are present save that events at horse shows or gymkhanas, which are restricted to children under 18 years of age, or which involve a substantial element of chance or skill unconnected with horse-riding, shall not be considered horseraces.
Hunters’ Steeple Chase
A weight-for-age steeple chase (although there is the odd Handicap) confined to amateur riders and horses which have been hunting and have been thus certified by Master of Hounds. ‘HC’ printed underneath race conditions indicates a Steeple Chase confined to certified Hunters.
Hypothecated Income
Future potential income source where racecourses may be paid on the basis of the betting turnover that they generated per race. However, as levy income is based on gross profits there is an issue of establishing a reliable source of data to enable a switch to this format of income.
Intermediate Races
These Jump race types offer, as their name suggests, an intermediary stage between other race types. For example, an Intermediate ‘Chase is aimed at horses that are no longer eligible for Maiden or Novice ‘Chases but are perhaps not yet ready to compete in a standard Handicap.
Introductory Hurdle
A race for horses that have not run in more than one hurdle race.
Junior National Hunt Flat Race
A race for 3-year-olds prior to 1 January and 4-year-olds from 1 January to 31 March, which have not run under any recognized Rules of Racing, except in these races in Britain and Ireland. Races are not to be run over distances of less than 1m4f and not further than 1m7f.
Juvenile Races
A type of Novice Hurdle that is restricted to juvenile horses. Juveniles are horses that are aged 3-years-old before 1st January for the current Jump season and 4-year-olds after 1 January until the end of the season.
Limited Handicaps
Limited Handicaps are Jump Handicaps where a restricted weight range is specified (such as a 21lb range from 10st4lb to 11st10lb) and additional conditions or penalties may apply to attract the correct calibre of horse. These conditions may include a more expensive entry charge for horses whose handicap rating is in excess of a certain level.
Listed Races
These races have been awarded Listed status by the British Flat Pattern Panel but must also be awarded Black Type status by the International Cataloguing Standards Committee. They must be worth a minimum £26,000 TPF for 3yo+ races and a minimum £21,500 TPF for 2yo races.
Lowest Weight
The lowest weights applicable to Handicaps are 7st 12lb for Flat races and 10st for Jump races. There is currently an ongoing debate at the BHA regarding raising the minimum weight for Flat races.
Maiden
Basically, a horse that has not won a race in that code of racing, either Jump or Flat. There are exceptions for horses that have won races such as National Hunt Flat races, Matches, Private Sweepstakes, or Point-to-Points. For the National Hunt Flat races, a Maiden must meet the relevant criteria (see below) and must not have won one of these races in Britain or Ireland. NB; Horses which have won a Hurdle race are not eligible to run in a Maiden Steeple Chase.
Maiden Auction Race
A Flat race restricted to two-year-old maiden horses sold or bought in by public auction under the hammer at specified sales. There is usually a maximum auction price attached to these races, with horses sold below a certain price receiving weight from more expensive horses.
Maiden Handicap
A Handicap Flat race restricted to maiden aged 3yo+ who have run in at least three British Flat races.
Maiden Median Auction Race
This is a Maiden Flat race with an additional criteria relating to the sire of the horse entered. Horses are only eligible for this race if their sire’s progeny for that generation reached a certain median price (or less) when sold or bought in at auction as yearlings.
Match
A race between two horses with different owners, on terms agreed by them, with no money or other prize added.
Matinee Meeting
A race meeting that commences prior to mid-day with the majority (if not all) races complete before the usual afternoon cards commence. None have taken place since 2005.
Maximum Figure
The maximum number of horses permitted to start in a race as laid down in the conditions of a race. This number must never exceed the Safety Factor.
Merit Table
The primary system whereby the Levy Board decides its prize money allocation to individual racecourses. It is based on the contributions to prize money by the racecourse executive and sponsors over a three year period.
Meritocracy Bands
Method of classifying races to replace minimum values (introduced in 2004 for Flat racing) where all races must be run at a value within the monetary range stipulated for that Class of race. For Jumping this was introduced in January 2006. Attached at Appendix ‘A’ to this Glossary are the 2008 Meritocracy Bands.
Minimum Values
These are set by the British Horseracing Authority each year and are the required minimum Total Prize Funds which a racecourse must meet for each classification of race. Also see Meritocracy Bands.
Money Added to Stakes
No longer applies, but it was the value of the race in terms of the contribution by the racecourse executive and the sponsors, not including the owners’ contribution to the prize money pool via the entry fee (stake).
National Hunt Flat Race
A race for horses aged between 3 and 7 years old depending on the time of year, which have not run under any recognised Rules of Racing, except in these races in Britain or Ireland.
Novelty Race
A race which restrict the number of runners through either a restriction on the horses, or the riders.
Novice
For season 2007/2008: Hurdles races – the horse must not have won a hurdle race before April 29, 2007. For Steeple Chases other than hunters steeple chases – the horse must not have won a steeple chase before April 29, 2007 other for variations laid down in the Rule Book each year, allowing horses winning for the first time after 1 March to run in such races until the end of October.
For season 2008/2009: Hurdles races – the horse must not have won a hurdle race before April 27, 2008. For Steeple Chases other than hunters steeple chases – the horse must not have won a steeple chase before April 27, 2008 other for variations laid down in the Rule Book each year, allowing horses winning for the first time after 1 March to run in such races until the end of October.
Novice Auction Race
A Flat race restricted to two-year-old horses which:
- have not won a Flat race classified above a Class 4 (other than those races treated as Class 4 in the conditions of the race) and
- which must have been sold or bought in at auction at specified sales.
As with Maiden Auction races, a maximum price is set and horses below this price will receive a weight allowance.
Novice Flat Race
A Flat race restricted to two-year-olds only,
- which must not have won more than two races and
- have not won a race classified as Class 1 or 2 (other than those races which are treated as Class 4 in the conditions of the race)
In addition, winner of Flat races classified as Class 3 other than those treated as Class 4, will not be eligible for race run on or after the Monday after the York August meeting.
Novice Hunters’ Steeple Chase
A weight-for-age Steeple Chase confined to Amateur Riders and to horses certified by a Master of Hounds to have been hunted and which have not won a Steeple Chase before June 3, 2007. This is applicable for the year 2008.
Novice Median Auction Race
A Flat race restricted to two-year-old horses
- which have not won a Flat race classified above Class 4 (other than those races which are treated as Class 4 races)
- two Flat races of any class
- and whose sire’s progeny for that generation reached a certain median price (or less) when sold or bought in at auction as yearlings.
Nursery Handicap
A Handicap confined to two-year-old horses (official birthday 1st January). A Nursery cannot be programmed before 1 July.
Open Maiden Race
A Maiden Flat race which is restricted by either number of starts, age, sex, or qualification under the European Breeders’ Fund arrangements.
Owner’s Premium Scheme
A scheme set up to promote British breeding as well as owning British horses. However, due to a downturn in levy income, the Scheme was discontinued in 2007.
Parade
The presentation before the start of a race of all the runners in racecard order mounted by their riders either led or cantered at intervals in front of the stand.
Pattern Races
Flat races are accorded Pattern race status by the European Pattern Committee. Jump races are accorded Pattern status by the British Horseracing Authority. For Flat and Jump racing, all Pattern races are deemed to be Class 1, with three Groups (Flat) or Grades (Jump) (1, 2 and 3) within the classification.
Penalties Most races have a penalty structure, whereby a horse will be required to carry additional weight, usually as a result of its previous performance.
Pony Racing
Introduced in 2004 following RHT’s Jump Racing Review in order to encourage a wider spectrum of young British enthusiasts to consider developing a career in Jump Racing. Pony Races can be staged for young riders before or after racing. The initiative has helped to promote the development of British jockeys, as many of the current crop of Irish jump jockeys have had involvement in this field. It has gone from strength to strength and in May 2007 the Pony Racing Association was launched.
Premier Claiming Race
Claiming race in which the Total Prize Fund is not less than £8,000 and where the claiming price will not be less than £25,000.
Private Sweepstakes
A race without any money or other prize, which is not advertised until entries are closed.
Race
Is a sweepstakes, guaranteed sweepstakes, private sweepstakes, or match run under BHA Orders or any race under the Rules of any Recognised Turf Authority (for full description see page 82 of 2006 Orders and Rules of Racing).
Race Times
A draft Race Times document is produced by the BHA Racing Department as soon as possible after the publication of the following year’s fixture list. Racecourses will be asked to check this document carefully and make applications to the Race Times Committee which normally meets in early October. Following that the document will set out the race times for each race for the first quarter of the following year and will show first race times only for the remainder. A Race Times Advisory Panel will then meet a further 3 times to determine all race times for the following 3 quarters of the year.
There are various stipulations with regard to race times (laid out in General Instruction 2.8) including the preferred time gap between races at each course (10-minute gap if three fixtures, 15-minute gap if 2 fixtures).
Rating Related Maiden Race
A Maiden Flat race which is not a handicap, but which is restricted to horses who have a handicap rating at or below a certain figure.
Regional Fixture
A Flat race meeting determined as a Regional Fixture by the BHA Directors and usually with races off approx £2,000 in value and for horses rated 50 and below. From 2007 onwards there will be no Regional Fixtures, but Regional Races (Banded Stakes) will be integrated onto Standard cards.
Re-offering of Races
a) Where 3 or less declarations have been received for races to be run on a Monday to Friday, the time for declaration will be extended up to 10.30 am on the same day.
b) For Saturdays and Sundays this number is 4 or less.
c) For Heritage Handicaps, Nursery Handicaps and other major races the number is 7 or less.
Re-opening of Races
Any race which closes 6 or 5 days before the race is run is subject to re-opening where 9 entries or less have been received by the time advertised for closing. Races will be re-opened for entry up to 9.15 am on the day following closing (except for races closing on a Saturday, which will be re-opened until 9.15 am on the following Monday).
Any race which is not a Pattern, Listed, Early Closing or the Final of a Series which receives less than 5 entries may be abandoned by the Racecourse Executive up to 10 am on the day following closing.
Reserves
Racecourses staging Group 1 races and Heritage Handicaps can opt to have Reserves included in their conditions. The John Smith’s Grand National has had a Reserve system in place for a number of years, which has worked satisfactorily. In August 2004 the deadline for Reserves was altered to 1pm (from 9.30 am) on the day before the race. In the event of one of the non-runners being the top weight, the weights for the race would only be raised up until 10.30 am on the day before the race. This would coincide with the release of overnight declarations at Weatherbys.
Restriction on Running
For Flat racing:
- No races for Yearlings
- No races over less than 5 furlongs
- Before 1 August you can only have a maximum 2 2yo races on a 6-race card and 3 2yo races on a 7-race card
- 2yo should not run over further than 5f before the York May meeting; 6f before Royal Ascot; 7f before 1 August
- 2yo should not run in Handicaps before 1 July or against older horses
- A 2yo cannot run in a Selling race if it has already won 2 such events, unless the Selling races had a TPF of £10,000 or more
For Jump racing:
- No 3yo should run in a Hurdle race before 1 May
- No 4yo should run in a Chase before 1 July
- No 5yo should run in a Hunter Chase before 1 February
- No Chase or Hurdle race over less than 2 miles
- No Hunter Chases before 1 February
- A NHF should be run on a 7-race card unless it is an Open Race
Safety Factor (SF)
Maximum number of horses which can start in a race. This is determined in conjunction with the BHA Inspectorate.
Selling Race
In these races, every horse can be claimed (see Claiming Race, above), but the winner must be offered for sale by auction. The selling price should not be less than £2,000. Traditionally, auctions are conducted in guineas with the auctioneer receiving the guinea (5%) as his commission. However, almost 50% of racecourses now sell in sterling.
The distribution of a sale is usually 50% of the surplus to the Owner and 50% to the Racecourse. However, Racecourses can alter these percentages as required (some courses split the proceeds 75% to Owner and 25% to Racecourse).
Seventh Race Scheme (HBLB)
A scheme whereby Racecourses receive grants for staging a 7th race on a card (Flat and Jump). However, this depends on the quality staged and the budget available. The criteria for both codes are attached at Appendix ‘B’.
Split Entry Fees
System used in Handicaps to encourage lower rated horses to enter with only having to pay a small proportion of the entry fee with the balance paid on declaration (not to be confused with Forfeit stages).
It works as follows: horses entered on a Handicap mark within the weight range will pay the full entry fee. Horses entered with a Handicap rating outside this bracket will pay only 20% of the entry fee at the five-day stage, but must pay the outstanding 80% if they declare to run.
Sponsored Numbers Cloths (SNC)
These number cloths will carry the name/logo of a sponsor and must be carried by all horses running in the race. The sponsorship income will be divided in proportion to the number of horses which have started. Minimum payments are: £500 for terrestrial televised race, £250 for non-terrestrial races.
Stabling Capacity
Is the total number of racecourse stables in the secure yard available to runners on a specified raceday.
Starting Stalls (SS)
‘SS’ underneath the conditions of a race indicates that the race will be started from Starting Stalls.
Stake
Payments by the owners of a horse to enter it for a race. These form part of the total prize money pool for that race. A specific level is set by BHA for the minimum and maximum stakes, with special dispensation required for any figure outside these brackets. The level of entry fee, as a percentage of the added to stakes value, is currently as follows:
Current Entry Fees
Flat Group 1 not more than 1% of Total Prize Fund
Group 2 not more than 0.85% of Total Prize Fund
Group 3 not more than 0.7% of Total Prize Fund
Other not more than 0.5% of Total Prize Fund
Stakes in Early Closing races depend on the number of forfeits applied (see General Instruction 2.2.3).
Jump All Races other than Pattern races not more than 0.5%
Stakes in Early Closing races depend on the number of forfeits applied (see General Instruction 2.2.5).
Supplementary Entries
Group 1 races that close more than 12 weeks before running must provide for supplementary entries. Any other early closing Group 1 or 2 races may provide this at the option of the Racecourse. The cost of supplementary entry must not exceed 10% of the Total Prize Fund.
For Jump racing any early closing Grade 1 races, which is not restricted to Novices, may provide for supplementary entries. The cost of the fee must not exceed 5% of the Total Prize Fund.
A portion of the supplementary entry payment will be included within the Total Prize Fund.
Sweepstake
Basically all races. The stakes or other contribution by the owners goes to the winner and placed horses and any other money added is distributed similarly.
Total Prize Fund
The way of advertising the race value, i.e. the Stakes go to the winner or placed horses. The Racecourse guarantees that the Total Prize Money available for distribution in accordance with Order 194 will not be less than a specified amount.
A portion of any supplementary entry payment which is equal to the full stake payable through the early closing system will be included in the Total Prize Fund.
Training Races
The Apprentice and Conditional Jockeys Training Race series are designed to be the next step on from the Hands and Heels series in terms of developing race riding skills. They are for riders who have ridden not more than 20 winners at the start of the series and again British Racing School Jockey Coaches attend all races, walk the course with riders, brief them and carry out video reviews immediately following the race. In these series riders may use their whips.
Twilight Fixture
A meeting held after the end of British Summer Time, which has a late afternoon start (around 4 pm) and ends before betting shops close at 6.30 pm (last race at 6.20 pm). In 2006 these fixtures will only apply to Racecourses that have floodlit facilities.
Veteran Chase
Newly introduced race for the 2008 season for horses aged 10-year-old and upwards over distances from 2½ to 3¼ miles to be held between 1 January and the end of the season (end April).
Weight-For-Age Race
All races except handicaps and selling races. An older horse will carry more weight.
Winner
Means the winner of a race (see definition of a race).
Year
A Calendar Year.
CM/17.12.07
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