A GUIDE TO RACE PROGRAMMING

A GUIDE TO RACE PROGRAMMING 2018-19 The Point-to-Point Authority Race Programming Committee

THE RACE PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE Committee Member David Minton (Chairman) Richard Russell Alan Hill Jake Exelby Nick Bostock Tik Saunders Richard Russell Fiona Needham Independent BHA MFHA Public Relations Officer PPSA PPORA The Jockey Club Independent The Race Programming Committee was set up in 2014 to make recommendations to the PPA Board in respect of race programming and framing at Point-to-Points and to provide a forum for debate on all aspects of the fixture list. The Committee collects feedback and monitors all relevant statistics to be able to recommend policy based on the following aims: Provide a well-structured model for fixtures that will increase the numbers of participants and race-goers and thereby underpin the future of the sport Improve the average number of runners per race Create a race programme that reflects the quality and quantity of the available horse population Analyse data to highlight the imbalance in the race program in order to create a revised programme that offers appropriate balance of opportunities for horses of different ability Improve competitive nature of races (address small fields/short-priced favourites) Horse Welfare prevent large weights being carried by multiple winners Attract horses that are capable of sustaining a career in the sport by increasing opportunities Identify horses yet to run under Rules that could develop from Point-to-Points and vice versa Encourage natural progression of the horses mental and physical abilities (it is beneficial for horses of similar experience to compete against each other) Guidance on cross-referencing between areas in order to produce an evenly spread programme When a Point-to-Point Committee is planning its Race Schedule it is advisable to program a range of races that cater to a wide variety of differing abilities of Horses and Riders. This document provides Point-to-Point Race Programming Committee recommendations and guidance to a PPA-suggested framework where races are categorised into three bands, while highlighting the most popular conditions races.

A GUIDE TO RACE PROGRAMMING Number of Races A race programme can consist of not more than seven programmed races up until the end of February and after the first weekend in May. It is recommended that from 1 st March up to and including the first weekend in May, the race programme consists of not more than six programmed races - unless the seventh is a Hunt Members race. No more than two Steeplechases on any card can be run over 2m4f. If two such races are to be programmed, then one of them must be a Young Horse or age-qualified Young Horse Maiden race. It is recommended the programme includes at least two races highlighted in italics within this document.

A GUIDE TO RACE PROGRAMMING BAND 1 Open Races Open races are for horses at the top end of the sport and only one of this type of race can be programmed unless riders sex conditions are imposed; this means a race for each sex may be staged. They can be run over the standard 3-mile distance, 2m4f or extended distances up to 4 miles (with BHA Inspectorate approval). Men s Open (12st or 12st5lb). A mandatory cumulative penalty structure is imposed for 12st base weight (provisional; pending BHA approval). Ladies Open (11st). A mandatory cumulative penalty structure is imposed (provisional; pending BHA approval). Mixed Open (11st7lbs). A mandatory cumulative penalty structure is imposed. The BHA modifies Regulation 75 in the conditions of all Area Classic, Feature races and Area Feature Open races which are run for maximum prize money with the omission of penalties. It is expected that riders who have not ridden more than 5 winners prior to the Thursday before the meeting will be allowed a 5lb allowance in all races, with the exception of Flat races and Maiden races, for the 2018-19 season. The BHA modifies Regulation 75 for the exception of Classic Races.

A GUIDE TO RACE PROGRAMMING BAND 2 Novice or Progressive Races These races can be run over the standard 3-mile distance or at 2m4f and are for horses at the start of their careers. Point-to-Point Flat Race Special dispensation to be gained from BHA, with suitability of the course to be determined by BHA Course Inspectorate. Conditions as follows: To be run over 2 miles For 4, 5 & 6yos only For horses which have not run under any recognised Rules of Racing or in Point-to-Points, except Pointto-Point Flat races Horses only allowed to win ONE P2P Flat race Horses must have a current registered Hunter Certificate issued in Great Britain WEIGHTS: National Hunt WFA Scale (provisional; pending BHA approval) RESTRICTION: Horses can run in a maximum of three races of this type The Regulations allow for three Maiden races to be programmed, provided they have differing conditions. Young Horse Maiden race in line with Regulation 80 (ii), restricted to just 4, 5 and 6-year-old horses Open Maiden race for horses of any age Older Horse Maiden race For horses aged 7 and over (12st or 12st 5lb weight range) Mares Maiden race Mares or Fillies of any age (base weight can be set at any weight between 11st7lb and 12st5lb) Non-Rules Maiden race restricted to horses that have never run under the Rules of any recognised Racing Authority (12st or 12st5lb weight range) Restricted Race For horses that have not won any race other than a Maiden race, Hunt race or a Flat or National Hunt Flat race. Intermediate Race For horses that have not won any Open race or Intermediate Point-to-Point race, or a Steeplechase or Hurdle race under Rules. A 5lb penalty to be imposed for each Conditions, Club or Confined race won.

A GUIDE TO RACE PROGRAMMING BAND 3 Band 3 - All Other Races All other races are termed Conditions races as they will all have some conditions attached to them, to create a level playing field for a range of horses. The Regulations allow for up to four of this type of race to be programmed (not including those in italics (see number of races above)). Club Conditions Race (1) Where a genuine subscription is paid for membership of a recognised club such as the PPORA* (conditions of the race to include Owners paid up membership) or the Countryside Alliance. *Note: PPORA membership can also be added to any type of race, which remains the same as the title of the race e.g. A PPORA Restricted race is a Restricted race. All meetings are encouraged to stage some form of PPORA race to support the association that represents the owners & riders of the sport. Club Conditions Race (2) Where Owners pay an increased entry fee in races that are put on as part of a Club meeting. (Conditions to be set by the organising Club) Conditions Race Where the committee can frame a race with their own conditions to suit a certain type of horse, e.g. for horses that have not won specified types of races in the current or past two seasons, with optional penalties to encourage competitive fields Area Conditions Race Where horses are qualified with packs affiliated to one or more Pointing Areas (similar penalty structure to Confined races or varied Conditions) Veterans Conditions Race For horses aged 9 years old and upwards from the start of the season up to and including December 31 st ; 10 years old and upwards from January 1 st until season end. Run with (optional) penalties over the current and past season Mares Conditions Race For Fillies & Mares only with optional penalties to create a level playing field (available base weight range between 11st7lb and 12st5lb) Novice Riders Conditions Race For Riders who have not ridden more than 5 winners before the start of the current season (Optional penalties for winners in the current and past season) Veteran Riders Conditions Race For riders who have attained a specified birthday (40 or 45) by the start of the current season

A GUIDE TO RACE PROGRAMMING BAND 3 (continued) Confined Race for horses certified by a Master of a Hunt affiliated to a Point-to-Point Area (or by a person appointed by the Master to sign Hunter Certificates) to be the property of Masters, Members, Subscribers or Farmers of that Hunt authorised to stage the meeting and fifteen adjoining Hunts; if insufficient hunts adjoin, the nearest neighbouring Hunts must be included. Where Confined conditions are added to Maiden or Restricted races, such races remain, by definition, Maiden or Restricted races. Where Hunts stage a Mixed Open race, they may hold two Confined races (i.e. one for Men and one for Ladies). Hunt Members Race - restricted to horses with a Hunter Certificate, that need not be registered with Weatherbys, issued by the organising Hunt (and if so desired up to three additional Hunts which do not stage that type of race already). Within the conditions, the organising Committee may include the requirement for the Horse to have been genuinely hunted with the Pack(s) concerned. The PPA recommends that, if the Hunt Race is likely to produce fewer than six runners, it should be placed as the last race of the day.

SUGGESTED PENALTIES FOR CONDITIONS RACES Please find below some examples of common penalties used. The dates stated are suggested for the 2018-19 season but can be amended as required depending on the desires of the individual fixtures. For cumulative penalties, a maximum penalty level can be set if desired. Penalties shown are from the start of the current season, but these can be extended further back if required. It is not mandatory to impose penalties in Conditions races. Cumulative penalties to a maximum weight: For each win on or since 1 st July 2018 in any race under the Rules of any recognised Racing Authority (Point-to-Points excepted) or in a Mens, Ladies or Mixed Open Point-to-Point race 4lb extra; for each win on or since 1 st July 2018 in a Club Members, Confined or Conditions race to carry 3lb extra; maximum weight to be carried is 12st10lb. Penalties are cumulative For races where horses cannot have won under Rules (either ever, or after a certain date) or a Men s, Ladies or Mixed Open P2P: Cumulative Non-cumulative For each win on or since 1 st July 2018 in a Confined, Club Members or Conditions race 3lb extra. Penalties are cumulative A winner on or since 1 st July 2018 of two or more Club Members, Conditions or Confined races to carry 7lb extra; of one such race 4lb extra. Penalties are not cumulative For races where horses cannot have won under Rules (either ever, or after a certain date): Cumulative Non-cumulative For each win on or since 15 th November 2018 in a Mens, Ladies or Mixed Open Point-to-Point 5lb extra; for each win in a Confined, Club Members or Conditions race to carry 3lb extra. Penalties are cumulative A winner on or since 15 th November 2018 of a Mens, Ladies or Mixed Open Point-to- Point race to carry 7lb extra; a winner of a Confined, Club Members or Conditions race in this period to carry 4lb extra. Penalties are not cumulative

SUGGESTED PENALTIES FOR CONDITIONS RACES For races where horses can have won both under Rules and in Point-to-Points and in Point-to-Points Cumulative Non-cumulative For each win on or since 1st July 2018 of any race under the Rules of any recognised Racing Authority (Point-to-Points excepted) 4lb extra; for each win on or since 1 st July 2018 in a Mens, Ladies or Mixed Open Point-to-Point race 3lb extra. Penalties are cumulative A winner on or since 1 st July2018 of any race under the Rules of any recognised Racing Authority (Point-to-Points excepted) to carry 7lb extra, of a Mens, Ladies or Mixed Open Point-to- Point race to carry 4lb extra, of two or such more races to carry 7lb extra. Penalties are not cumulative

USEFUL STATISTICS 2017/18 SEASON Band 1 Average number of runners per race (2016/17 season) Mixed Opens 7 Men s Opens 6 Ladies Opens 6 Band 2 Races Scheduled Average number of Entries 2 ½ Mile Young Horse 66 13.1 6.7 Maidens Mares Maidens 22 13.8 7.1 P2P Flat Race 6 28.66 9.18 Hunt Members 90 7.5 4.07 Average number of runners per race Band 3 2 ½ Mile Point-to- Point Races, other than Young Horse Maidens Race Scheduled Average number of Entries Average number of runners per race 68 16 8.79 Novice Riders Races 89 17.3 7.52