Fixture Criteria
The Fixture Criteria is reviewed annually and sets out which fixture slots will receive central funding from HBLB. Prize money funding and grants towards Raceday Services will be provided for all fixtures within the criteria. Fixtures outside the criteria are not eligible for any form of funding unless specific provision is made in the criteria.
The Fixture Criteria was relaxed when racing resumed in June 2020, to aid the recovery of the sport from the impacts of Covid-19. Therefore, from June 2020 to December 2022, HBLB provided some funding to almost all fixtures.
Fixture Criteria 2024
The detail below explains how the criteria will operate in 2024.
Afternoons
(a) Up to three afternoon fixtures Monday to Friday, four on a Saturday (including morning fixtures) and three on a Sunday to be Criteria.
(b) On Saturdays 11 May, 1 June and 7 September 2024, four fixtures will be funded at 100% and the remaining fixture will receive 50% funding. All fixtures will receive a full Raceday Services Grant (RSG).
(c) An exception to this criteria is Friday 18 October where 4 afternoon fixtures will be programmed and all receive full funding.
(d) A further exception is Saturday 13 April, when an additional morning fixture on Grand National Day will receive full ratecard and RSG funding.
Evenings
(d) From the start of the core summer racing period on 19 April to the end of that same period on 6 September, up to two Evening fixtures Monday to Saturday to be Criteria.
(e) For Fridays only, between 31 May and 30 August inclusive, up to three fixtures to be Criteria.
(f) Funding will be made available for one Sunday evening fixture.
Floodlits
(g) Up to one Floodlit Fixture from 9 September to 19 April, every day, including Sundays.
(h) An exception to this criteria is from September to December where two floodlit criteria slots are available Monday to Saturday.
Christmas Period
(i) Funding for normal Criteria slots as above is available up to and including 22 December
(j) 26: See Bank Holiday below
(k) 27: Three afternoon fixtures and one floodlit
(l) 28 - 31: Two afternoon fixtures and one Floodlit, on all days other than Saturdays, when up to three afternoon fixtures and two Floodlit will be criteria. The Challow Hurdle fixture at Newbury, unlike other fixtures in this period, is not always staged on the same weekday. If the fixture does not take place on a Saturday, it will be considered a criteria fixture along with the other afternoon fixtures already in place on that day.
Bank Holidays
(m) Up to four fixtures will be funded at 100% and the remaining fixtures will receive 50% funding. All fixtures will receive a full RSG. New Year’s Day is recognised as a Bank Holiday for funding purposes in 2024.
Cheltenham Festival Week
(n) Tuesday-Thursday: Two afternoon fixtures and two floodlit fixtures to be Criteria
(o) Friday: Three afternoon fixtures and two floodlit fixtures to be Criteria.
Definitions
Core Flat Racing Period – From the Friday of the Craven Meeting (19st April) to the Friday of the Haydock Sprint Cup Meeting (6 September).
Floodlit Fixture – An evening fixture outside the core Flat Racing period.
Evening Fixture – An evening fixture during the core Flat Racing period.
