The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) recently released its newest racing data report, focusing on the growing competitiveness of races and the dwindling numbers of high-quality Jump horses.
In his blog for the month, Richard Wayman, BHA’s Director of Racing, delves deeper into these two significant points highlighted in the report. He discussed the strategic decision to reduce the number of Jump races by 300 and to transition many Flat races from summer to autumn. “The BHA Racing Department has collaborated with racecourses to revamp the race schedule,” Wayman shared. “This involves calculating expected runner numbers and adjusting race volume to enhance field sizes throughout the year.”
Supporting his statements, Wayman presented graphs illustrating the improved competitiveness of races in both Flat and Jump categories. The data compared a three-year average of field sizes—from 2021 to 2023, shown with a blue line on the graph—with 2024’s more stable and improved figures reflected by a green line.
For Jump races, the red line in the graph exceeded the three-year average, demonstrating an overall improvement in field sizes. However, variations in ground conditions remain a key factor. The BHA noted lower field sizes earlier in the year due to adverse weather conditions, which led to the majority of races being run on soft or heavy ground. This highlights the ongoing impact of environmental conditions on horse racing, particularly in early months.
Wayman emphasized the persistent decrease of high-quality Jump horses in Britain as a concerning trend, noting a decline from 729 to 645 horses delivering a performance rating of 130 or higher. Factors contributing to this trend include fewer Flat horses transitioning to Jumping, increased exportation, more all-weather racing during the winter months, challenges in breeding Jump horses, and changes in racehorse ownership demographics.
Looking ahead, the BHA announced plans to issue a mid-term review in January of its ongoing two-year trial, which involves changes to the fixture list aimed at enhancing the sport’s consumer appeal.