Junior NH Hurdles
In 2021, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced the introduction of Junior National Hunt (NH) Hurdle Races, an important initiative to help the development of Jump horses in Great Britain. This followed discussions between the BHA and the TBA, and the approval of the industry's Racing Group.
Junior NH Hurdles made their entrance to the programme book for the 2022/2023 season. These races were aimed at encouraging horses bred specifically to compete under National Hunt rules to make their racecourse debuts over hurdles instead of the traditional 'bumper' (National Hunt Flat race) route. As an incentive to encourage more owners, trainers and breeders to consider these races for suitable horses, the BHA retains Novice status for any horses who do not win outside of these races for the following season.
Key information:
- A win in a Junior NH Hurdle race will not rule out a horse from running in regular novice races in the following season.
- Horses are permitted to run in other Juvenile and Novices’ events during the same season, but wins outside these Junior NH Hurdles will be treated as normal in terms of novice status i.e. horses will lose novice status
- Any wins will result in loss of maiden status in all future hurdle races.
- Runs in these races will be subject to assessment by the BHA handicapper and count towards qualification for handicap races.
2026 Dates
| Date | Course |
| 5 January | Ludlow |
| 14 January | Newbury |
| 23 January | Warwick |
| 27 January | Chepstow |
| 5 February | Doncaster |
| 13 February | Chepstow |
| 22 February | Hereford |
| 26 February | Wetherby (fillies only) |
| 8 March | Carlisle |
| 9 March | Taunton |
| 15 March | Market Rasen |
| 22 March | Exeter |
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