Field-size boost as figure reaches highest mark since 2011

Quarterly average field sizes in British racing reached their highest figure since 2011 in the final three months of 2019, according to figures compiled by the Racing Post.

The average of 9.72 has been bettered only once since the start of 2011, when average field sizes reached 9.73 in the final quarter of that year.

The news is important for British racing, with media rights payments from bookmakers tied into field sizes and betting turnover boosted by races with eight runners or more which allow for each-way betting on the first three places.