BHB Votes For A Summer Of Sunday Racing
Members of the British Horseracing Board have voted by an overwhelming majority for significant changes in the Fixture List for the year 2000 to broaden the appeal of the sport and attract new racegoers.
At its monthly meeting this week, the Board backed a proposal for a continuous programme of Sunday racing next summer, with three fixtures on 18 consecutive Sundays from the last weekend in April to the end of August. (A further four Sundays, each with three fixtures, will be programmed outside the summer period, as in 1999)
Following an extensive programme of consultation within the industry, in which trainers and stable staff expressed concern about the impact of racing on Saturday evening and Sunday over the same weekend, BHB Directors decided that Saturday evening fixtures during the same four-month period next summer should be transferred to other dates.
The BHB's fixture list policy will now go to the Levy Board next week with a request to put in place complementary funding arrangements, including full funding for all Sunday and fifth summer Saturday afternoon fixtures.
BHB Fixture Policy: Summary Of Changes For Summer Of 2000
Three fixtures on 18 consecutive Sundays More fifth afternoon fixtures oná Saturdays An evening fixture pattern based on 12 weeks with three days evening racing and six weeks with four evenings, as follows:
Mondays: two fixtures
Tuesdays: two fixtures in Bank Holiday weeks
Wednesdays: two fixtures
Thursdays: two fixtures in six weeks
Fridays: three fixtures
Saturdays: none in 2000, from the last Saturday in April to the end of August.
At its monthly meeting this week, the Board backed a proposal for a continuous programme of Sunday racing next summer, with three fixtures on 18 consecutive Sundays from the last weekend in April to the end of August. (A further four Sundays, each with three fixtures, will be programmed outside the summer period, as in 1999)
Following an extensive programme of consultation within the industry, in which trainers and stable staff expressed concern about the impact of racing on Saturday evening and Sunday over the same weekend, BHB Directors decided that Saturday evening fixtures during the same four-month period next summer should be transferred to other dates.
The BHB's fixture list policy will now go to the Levy Board next week with a request to put in place complementary funding arrangements, including full funding for all Sunday and fifth summer Saturday afternoon fixtures.
BHB Fixture Policy: Summary Of Changes For Summer Of 2000
Three fixtures on 18 consecutive Sundays More fifth afternoon fixtures oná Saturdays An evening fixture pattern based on 12 weeks with three days evening racing and six weeks with four evenings, as follows:
Mondays: two fixtures
Tuesdays: two fixtures in Bank Holiday weeks
Wednesdays: two fixtures
Thursdays: two fixtures in six weeks
Fridays: three fixtures
Saturdays: none in 2000, from the last Saturday in April to the end of August.