Racing League reaches its climax with questions surrounding team series

The inaugural William Hill Racing League reaches its conclusion at Newcastle on Thursday evening amidst scrutiny of the impact and viability of the team series.

Team Thoroughbid leads GOAT Racing by four points in the standings after five meetings, with both franchises represented in each of the six races at the final fixture.

However, as with the previous meetings, there will not be the maximum number of 72 runners across the card, with four of the six contests failing to attract a runner from at least one of each of the 12 teams. Only nine horses have been declared for the 1m2f handicap (6.35).

Oli Harris, the Racing League's chief marketing officer, said: "As we thought, there are still four or five teams in with a chance of winning, and the jockeys' championship is tight, too.

"From our point of view there have been really good races and fields throughout and it would be great if it went down to the last race of the series."

Thursday's Racing League card at Newcastle

As well as unfilled fields, the Racing League will be completed without an appearance from former champion jockey Jim Crowley, leading rider Hollie Doyle and reigning champion Oisin Murphy, who is prominently quoted on the homepage of the organisation’s website saying, "I look forward to being involved".

Frankie Dettori participated at one meeting and has no rides booked in Britain at any course on Thursday.

Harris said: "The field sizes are beyond our control with horse injuries, and increasing the number of horses is something we will look at for next year.

"All the jockeys expressed enthusiasm about being a part of it, but for one reason or another something has come up.

"We are not going to say to them 'you have to race here' and we couldn't say that anyway. However, it has given a chance for younger and less prominent riders."

Oisin Murphy: has been absent from the Racing LeagueCredit: Mark Cranham

A total of £1.8 million in prize-money has been put up for the 36 races, while an additional £200,000 will be split between trainers, staff, owners and jockeys on the winning team and to the riders finishing first, second and third in the final standings.

Following the conclusion of the Racing League, Harris said that considerable discussion and analysis would take place ahead of a planned return of the series next year.

"There will be plenty discussed in the wash-up, along with suggestions and criticisms we can take on board for next year," he said.

"We'll certainly need more horses and there will be the issue of the number of trainers who want to take part, which we imagine will be high given what has been said by many of them this year. But overall we are pleased with how it has gone."

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