Next year's fixture list in Britain will look very similar to this year after a program of 1,478 meetings for 2023 was published Aug. 24.
That is just four down on the total when this year's list was released, at a time when there have been many calls for a reduction in racing in order to counter the problem of small fields.
However, the BHA, Racecourse Association, and the Thoroughbred Group hinted at changes in years to come by revealing that a key focus of their recently announced industry strategy relates to how future fixture lists can grow the appeal of racing to its customers.
And publication of the list coincided with the announcement of an increase in minimum race values to boost the international competitiveness of top races in an attempt to prevent higher-rated horses from leaving Britain, and to enhance the value of races at lower levels.
Minimum values on the flat will rise across the board, ranging from £250,000 (up from £200,000) for 3-year-old plus group 1 races to £5,000 (from £4,300) for class 6 contests.
Similarly, over jumps, the increases range from £50,000 for open group 1 races to £700 for class 6 contests.
There will be 587 jumps meetings in 2023, 890 flat cards (329 on the all-weather) and the combined program on Swinton Hurdle day at Haydock. The list features 1,060-afternoon meetings and 418 in the evening.
Notable changes include the St Leger festival at Doncaster becoming a Thursday-to-Sunday meeting and the Christmas break being reduced to two days for the first time since 2017, with four fixtures staged Sunday, Dec. 23.
There are a maximum of five fixtures on any Saturday afternoon and there are four 'code breaks'—two each on the flat and over jumps—to allow participants involved potential time off.
BHA chief operating officer Richard Wayman said: "Although the 2023 fixture list includes a number of initiatives, it is similar in size and shape to previous years. With work on the industry strategy underway, a key area of focus is to ensure that future fixture lists can help grow the appeal of racing to our customers, both existing and new.
"At a time when the sport is facing a number of challenges, it is particularly important that industry agreement has been reached on raising minimum prize money values. Owners have always been incredibly loyal in their support of British racing, but we are experiencing significant growth in the number of higher-rated horses being sold overseas and, over jumps, an increasing number of the best horses being based elsewhere.
"Total prize money will reach record levels this year but, as we enter the yearling sales season, when many owners are making their plans for next year, it is vital that we have been able to announce further steps forward in the guise of increased minimum values for 2023."
'Really Positive Progress'
The current appearance money scheme is being stopped, with minimum prizes for the races that previously received support being increased by £700 and money always paid to at least fifth place.
Welcoming the overall package, Racehorse Owners Association CEO Charlie Liverton said: "I believe this is really positive progress for the industry as a whole.
"Prize money in the UK has been a major concern for many owners for a number of years and I am pleased that we were able to find a way forward to increase minimum prize money levels and deliver a simplified model across both codes. I appreciate there have been no radical changes to the fixture list and this will continue to be reviewed with discussions starting shortly on an industry-wide strategy.
"Clearly, the focus needs to be on the size and shape of the fixture list and prize money. As a sport, it is important that we deliver demonstrable progress and a race program which meets the needs of the horse population whilst delivering an economically viable model to enhance and protect the future of British racing."
David Armstrong, chief executive of the Racecourse Association, added: "I would like to thank the BHA and the industry fixtures and funding group for their significant efforts over the past seven months. A number of important initiatives have been agreed upon during that time, including significant increases in minimum values for many races at all classes, reducing fixture congestion on Saturday afternoons and the replacement of the appearance money scheme with targeted direct funding.
"Many race types will have significantly increased minimum values in 2023 across the full range of the program, with increases in those categories affected being almost 25% on average. Against this backdrop, we look forward to the upcoming industry strategy discussions starting in September, which will aim to accelerate the growth of the sport."
The two flat breaks in the program are from March 19–24 and Nov. 26–Dec. 4, while the rest periods over jumps are May 2–5 (bar a Cheltenham hunter chase evening) and Aug. 7–18.
In an attempt to maximize off-course betting opportunities, there will be two floodlit fixtures on each day of the Cheltenham Festival and the afternoon all-weather meetings in the Christmas period will also become evening cards under lights.
The published list may well increase slightly as it does not include fixtures for the Sunday Series or the Racing League, which will be added if and when they are confirmed.
