'Lessons have been learned' - revised and redefined Premier racing strategy gets the thumbs-up from racecourses

Two vocal critics of the original premierisation scheme have welcomed the new reduced and redefined version, which was revealed exclusively in the Racing Post on Friday.

A policy shift signed off by the BHA board last month means that only 52 meetings will have Premier status next year, compared to 162 in the second half of a two-year trial in 2025, and the protected two-hour Saturday afternoon is also likely to end.

Bill Farnsworth, general manager at Musselburgh which has staged Premier fixtures in both years, said: "I wasn't a great believer in the series when it was launched in 2024. I'm pleased to see that lessons have been learned and it looks more like it in its second incarnation.