'Clear focus and targeted investment' - industry-wide support for 2026 British fixture list changes

Trainers, jockeys and breeders have reacted positively to changes made for the 2026 fixture list that aim to drive up the number and quality of horses being trained and raced in Britain.

More than £5 million is set to be invested into developmental races on the Flat and over jumps, and in boosting purses for Britain’s biggest Flat races next year.

• Extra millions to be pumped into British racing as BHA attempts to address horse population trends 'heading in the wrong direction' 

Trainers and jockeys are also supportive of trials and amendments focused on ending evening fixtures earlier, although the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) said they remained of the view that “there are too many fixtures and too much evening racing” after only two meetings were pruned for 2026 compared with this year.

The financial injection into next year’s fixture list was done with the intention of “maintaining our global relevance on the Flat and primary status over jumps”, according to the BHA, with its director of racing Richard Wayman adding that the sport was “heading in the wrong direction” for both Flat and jumps horses.

The proactive measures were praised by Paul Johnson, chief executive of the National Trainers Federation (NTF). He said: “With the funds available to the sport under pressure, it can be challenging to determine where best to direct investment to achieve the best possible outcomes, but we're supportive of the greater level of focus that has been applied in ensuring that British Class 1 races remain internationally relevant and engaging for consumers. 

“We see this as an important step in switching the sport’s direction of travel to one of growth rather than contraction.”

A stronger focus on supporting and rewarding horses early in their careers was highlighted as a move of “crucial” importance by Claire Sheppard, chief executive of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

In May, the TBA estimated the 2025 foal crop would drop by six per cent compared with 2024 and would fall by a further six per cent next year, a point Sheppard said “cannot be underestimated”.

She said: “We're particularly encouraged to see a clear focus and targeted investment in supporting the supply and retention of horses within Britain. This is especially important given the downward trend in domestic and global foal crop numbers – the impact of which cannot be underestimated.

“These measures and the additional enhancements alongside the ongoing successful and important Great British Bonus scheme demonstrate a more strategic, long-term approach to ensuring the sustainability of the British thoroughbred and racing, which we fully support.”

A trial of earlier finishes to floodlit meetings will be heldCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Earlier finishes to around 18 fixtures in April, May and September are expected next year as part of changes made by the BHA, while a trial of ending two all-weather floodlit meetings a week 30 minutes earlier at 8pm will take place during the opening nine weeks of 2026.

The NTF said the changes were “encouraging” for the wellbeing of participants “who have seen the demands that the sport places on them increase markedly in recent years”, with the PJA also supportive of “the retention of key welfare-based initiatives”.

However, Dale Gibson, PJA executive racing director, said: “The sheer volume of planned fixtures for 2026 continues to place enormous pressure and demands on jockeys and their families, as well as everyone else who services the fixture list.

“We remain of the view that there are too many fixtures and too much evening racing. With a diminishing foal crop there are some difficult conversations to be had and decisions to take when it comes to the 2027 fixture list.”

Increases in prize-money for developmental races and top-end Flat contests next year will be partially funded by higher executive contributions from racecourses, with Racecourse Association chief executive David Armstrong stating his members “remain resolute in our commitment to delivering the highest feasible levels of prize-money”.

Armstrong added that the 68 per cent reduction in Premier racedays for 2026 was a sensible move. He said: “I believe this is a logical step which should aid the marketing and promotion to customers of our major events.”

Fixture list 2026 - the key talking points

• There are 1,458 fixtures scheduled for 2026, two down on 2025.
• There will be 52 Premier racedays in 2026, down from 162 in 2025.
• 'Protected window' on Saturdays scrapped with a more targeted approach adopted. Ten-minute gaps prior to the biggest races to help better engage fans.
• £3.2m to be invested in prize-money for developmental races in 2026 to make Britain a more attractive location for horses at all levels to be based.
• Rise in minimum values for black type races on the Flat, along with changes elsewhere in the programme, expected to result in Class 1 races on the Flat offering more than £2m in additional prize-money next year.
• Minimum of £200,000 to be added to prize-money of four flagship races during the summer – the July Cup, King George, Sussex Stakes and Juddmonte International.
• New bonus scheme introduced for point-to-point horses, supported by £250,000 of funding.
• 'Elite Mares' Scheme' over jumps enhanced in 2026 with £200,000 of additional investment.
• Trial of earlier finishes at floodlit fixtures. For the first nine weeks of the year two floodlit fixtures each week will finish by 8pm.

Read more:

Extra millions to be pumped into British racing as BHA attempts to address horse population trends 'heading in the wrong direction' 

Extra millions to be pumped into British racing as BHA attempts to address horse population trends 'heading in the wrong direction' 

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