APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR ENHANCED 2026 ELITE NH MARES’ SCHEME

British National Hunt mare owners are encouraged to make use of the 2025/26 Elite NH Mares’ Scheme, for which applications opened today and will run until 31 January 2026. Funded by the HBLB and run by the TBA, the scheme provides subsidised and, in some cases, free nominations to 23 eligible British-based stallions.

The 2026 scheme recently received additional funds, doubling its available budget to £400,000 and is designed to reward owners of mares proven on the racecourse or at stud. It has helped contribute to a marked increase in the number of elite Jump broodmares in Britain since its inception, from around 150 a decade ago to 300 at present.

A total of 130 applications were received for the HBLB-funded scheme in 2025.

Mares can qualify by their highest Official Rating or progeny produced, with the ability to enhance their category by satisfying multiple criteria. The 2026 scheme has been simplified, with eligible mares put into two categories:

• Category 1A – 150+ rated mare: £5,000 grant
• Category 1B – producer of 160+ rated gelding or 150+ rated mare: £5,000 grant
• Category 2A – 130-149 rated mare: £4,000 grant
• Category 2B – producer of 140-159 rated gelding or 130-149 rated mare: £4,000 grant

TBA NH Committee Chairman, Simon Cox, said: “Britain has a high percentage of elite mares within its NH broodmare ranks and the Elite NH Mares’ Scheme is yet another valuable incentive for NH breeders who own such mares to cover them in Britain with either subsidised and, in some cases, free nominations to 23 British stallions.

“Increased HBLB funding and support from the BHA and the High-Quality Horse Group for this year’s scheme to £400,000 in total, demonstrates confidence in the scheme and means we can continue to support and incentivise NH breeders, who we know are under immense challenge.

 “The scheme rewards both mares who have proven themselves on the track and at stud already, giving British stallions the best opportunity of establishing themselves which will directly increase the quality of jumps horses being bred in Britain. We would encourage NH mare owners to take advantage of the scheme with applications now open, with the closing date at the end of January 2026.”

Jess Westwood, owner of Molland Ridge Stud who used the Elite Mares’ Scheme for the first time in 2025 commented: “The Elite NH Mares’ Scheme has been a positive boost for British breeders. With rising costs, it has significantly reduced nomination fees and encouraged us to breed quality National Hunt mares to top British stallions. I’ve worked with and sold a lot of stock by Jack Hobbs and have been able to take advantage of a much lower nomination fee thanks to the scheme - it all really helps.”

Winners of black-type races over obstacles in Great Britain, Ireland and France will be treated as having the following minimum ratings:

A winner of an additional race as specified above will be treated as having achieved a rating 5lb and full eligibility criteria can be found here.

The peak Official Ratings used are identifiable from the BHA and HRI websites or recorded on the Racing Post database. Mares who have run in France, other than those who qualify through winning black-type races, shall be assessed for the scheme based on their French rating doubled, as is the way the BHA handicapper assesses.

23 Stallions form the 2026 Elite NH Mares’ Scheme:

ARRIGO

BANGKOK

CANNOCK CHASE

CAPRI

CRACKSMAN (NEW for 2026)

DARTMOUTH

DRAGON DANCER

ELDAR ELDAROV

FRONTIERSMAN

GENTLEWAVE

ITO

JACK HOBBS

KEW GARDENS

KINGSTON HILL

LOGICIAN

MOGUL (NEW for 2026)

PASSING GLANCE

PLANTEUR

POSTPONED

SCHIAPARELLI

SUBJECTIVIST

WELLS FARHH GO (NEW for 2026)

YORGUNNABELUCKY

The full terms and conditions of the Elite NH Mares’ Scheme can be found on the TBA website along with the online application form - https://www.thetba.co.uk/breed-promotion/elite-nh-mares-scheme.html) or by calling Rob Davey on 01638 661321.