BHA announces fixture list and funding for 2026
The BHA earlier today published the 2026 fixture list and associated funding packages.
The measures have been approved by the BHA Board following agreement by the Commercial Committee - which is comprised of representatives from the sport’s main stakeholder bodies.
You can find a link to press release and headline measures here.
We are particularly encouraged to see a clear focus and targeted investment in supporting the supply and retention of horses within Britain. This is especially important given the downward trend in domestic and global foal crop numbers – the impact of which cannot be underestimated. It is particularly encouraging that of the additional £4.4 million in prize money announced for 2026, £3.2 million will be directed towards developmental races; these races are crucial for supporting the domestic breeding market and for encouraging the racing and development of young talent in Britain. This area has been a key focus for the TBA in industry discussion to address an area of prizemoney disparity with Ireland and France.” We also welcome the further expansion of the Elite Mares’ Scheme following its initial success, which will receive an additional £200K off investment in 2026. This increase will enhance grant levels for mares and broaden access to British National Hunt stallions, with the aim of improving the quality of British-bred progeny. These and additional enhancements alongside the ongoing successful and important GBB scheme demonstrate a more strategic, long-term approach to ensuring the sustainability of the British Thoroughbred and racing which we fully support.
MEASURES OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO BREEDERS INCLUDE:
Boosting the supply and retention of horses in Britain
A total of £4.4m in funding from the HBLB has been committed to the measures which help increase the number of thoroughbreds being bred, owned, trained and raced in Britain, with a particular focus on developmental pathways and boosting the number of high-quality horses within the population. £3.2m will be allocated to developmental races (novice and maiden events), which account for 20% of the race programme.
Developmental Races
On the Flat, this means increasing minimum values so that no open novice or maiden race is run for less than £10k (£12k for stayers) and no restricted novice or maiden for less than £8k (£10k for stayers). The additional prize money for staying races (two-year-olds at 7f+ and three-year-olds at 10f+) supporting a diverse horse population in racing and breeding.
Over Jumps, a total of approximately 50 novice and beginners’ chases will be programmed in 2026, with minimum values at £20k (Class 2) and £15k Class 3. The same values will apply to novice and maiden hurdles. Class 4 races will be permitted with a minimum value of £10k.
TBA/HBLB Elite Mares’ Scheme upgrade
The Elite Mares’ Scheme will receive an additional £200,000 investment (doubling its fund), to increase grants for mares and widen access to British NH stallions. The scheme, which rewards owners of mares proven on the racecourse or at stud, provides subsidised and in some cases free nominations to eligible British-based stallions.
The scheme, as part of wider initiatives such as changes to the race programme, has helped contribute to a marked increase in the number of elite Jump broodmares in Britain, from around 150 a decade ago to 300 at present.
Further details on the 2026 Elite Mares’ Scheme will be announced by the TBA in due course.
Black Type Races
For Black Type races on the Flat, all minimum values have been lifted above inflation and comparative race values in both Ireland and France (2025). This supports the BHA’s ambitions to progress horses through the domestic programme and attract international talent for competitive racing at all levels.
Point-to-Point Bonus
A new bonus scheme will be introduced for point-to-point horses, with the aim of strengthening that sphere as a development ground for future stars and enhance the pipeline of quality horses progressing to race under Rules.
The Maiden Series, which will be supported by £250k of funding, will take place at selected Point to Point Authority (PPA) tracks during the 25/26 season. It will comprise 15 maiden races for 4- and 5-year-old horses, with the winners of those races qualifying for a bonus when they win their first developmental (novice / maiden) race over hurdlers or fences under Rules.
Number of Premier Racedays
A more selective approach to Premier Racedays and clearly defined Flat and Jump seasons to make it easier for customers to identify and engage with British racing’s elite occasions. There will be 52 Premier Racedays in 2026, down from 162 in 2025. The split of Premier Racedays will be 30 (Flat) and 22 (Jump), read the full list here. These have been selected according to various criteria, including the quality of the races and the prize money on offer, as well as customer data such as attendances and betting returns.
More competitive racing throughout the programme
Providing sufficient opportunities for horses and connections across the whole race programme and delivering a consistently appealing product for the sport’s customers.
While total race volume will remain largely unchanged in 2026, with 1,458 fixtures (2025: 1,460) further tactical adjustments will be made to boost field sizes. For 2026, there will be increased investment in prize money values across the programme, including at the grassroots level.
Target values have been set for each Class of race on the Flat and over Jumps, which have been built into the ratecard to encourage racecourses to meet these values where possible, to ensure the prize money structure remains aspirational and meritocratic, with returns that are commensurate with the ability of the horses competing.
Other areas of focus for 2026 will be:
- The Horserace Betting Levy Board has increased the divided race fund by £200k reflecting the growth in race divisions as the distribution of the volume allows the programme to more effectively cater for the demands of the horse population
- Blank races remain in the programme, with an expanded, but more targeted approach to their distribution in order to support more agile race planning, including responding to changes in the make-up of the horse population and input from trainers.
- Fixture transfers onto the All-Weather or an alternative Turf course when ground is firm or quicker are now permitted at least seven days before the fixture.
- The 19-day summer jumping break is retained for 2026.
- Entering from scratch has been introduced when rescheduling major races at alternative venues to encourage more interesting and competitive events.