Race Planning
Race planning is a vital part of any training business and requires detailed and specific knowledge of the race programme.
However, the programme is constantly evolving, rules change, entry dates move, and qualification criteria alters, all of which make it difficult to keep on top of the programme book. This section is aimed at providing key bits of information you need to stay up to date.
If you would like to speak to someone about race planning, please contact Rob Sage on 07471 433 839.
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The BHA kindly send us an advance copy of the Programme Book before it is published on Racing Admin which is available to our members. The latest copy is below or you can view the archive HERE.
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Flat
Winter Derby fixture transferred from Southwell to Lingfield Park - Sept 25
Flat Conditions Stakes: Changes to handicapping rules for beaten horses - Aug 25
+1/+2 in Class 5 and 6 Handicaps - Aug 25
Changes to the Flat Novice and Maiden Programme 2025 - Dec 24
Nation Hunt
Changes to the Jump Programme 2025/26 - Sept 25
Combined
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Details of the latest race series qualifiers and qualified horses can be found on the BHA Racing Admin site HERE.
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Every year there are a lot of queries about the requirements for Hunters’ Steeple Chases. The full requirements can be found on the BHA rules microsite section 10 available HERE.
The key points to consider are:
A horse cannot run in a Hunters’ Steeple Chase if, in the 15 months prior to the beginning of the Hunters’ Steeple Chase Season and/or during the current Hunters’ Steeple Chase Season it has:
won a Class 1 or Class 2 Steeple Chase in Great Britain, or equivalent overseas Race, except if that Race was a Hunters’ Chase and/or confined to Amateur Jockeys; or
been placed first, second or third in a Grade 1 or Grade 2 Steeple Chase in Great Britain or Ireland, or equivalent overseas Race.
Once it has run in a Hunters’ Steeple Chase, unless the horse is under the care of a Permit Trainer a horse may not run in any Steeple Chase other than a Hunters’ Steeple Chase, the Grand Military Gold Cup and the Royal Artillery Gold Cup, during that same Hunters’ Steeple Chase Season.
There are additional requirements for the Cheltenham and Aintree Foxhunters. These are subject to change but here are last years requirements are as follows:
Cheltenham
For five yrs old and upwards, which, are qualified to run in Hunters’ Steeple Chases under the Running Requirements Code and which, after October 2021, and before February 27th, 2024, have been placed FIRST OR SECOND ON TWO OCCASIONS in a hunters’ steeple chase in Great Britain or Ireland OR have WON TWO OPEN STEEPLE CHASES at Point-to-Point Meetings (i.e. Gentlemens, Ladies or Mixed Open Races) in Great Britain or Ireland OR have WON ONE OPEN STEEPLE CHASE at a Point-to-Point Meeting in Great Britain or Ireland and have been placed FIRST or SECOND in a hunters’ steeplechase.
Aintree
For six yrs old and upwards, which are allotted a rating of 100 or more and which, after October 2021, and before March 19th, 2024, have finished first, second or third in a Hunters’ steeple chase on two occasions OR have finished first, second or third in a Hunters’ steeple chase on one occasion and have won either another steeple chase (Hunters’ steeple chases included) or, during the current Point-to-Point season, an Open Point-to-Point steeple chase. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain, Ireland or France may also be entered.
Such horses may be eligible provided the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse’s racecourse performances up to and including the day prior to confirmation would merit a minimum rating of 100. The decision of the BHA Handicapper shall be final. -
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If you have any race planning issues, queries or requests you would like us to take up with the BHA please fill out the below form.
