Issues under Discussion for Possible Reform for 23-24 Season
Dear All,
Once again, the PPA provides our annual paper indicating what is under consideration for amendment next season. The changes for this season were mainly to tidy up the regulations, close loopholes and make it easier to run Irish pointers, and as such appear to have been successful. I suspect more of the same for next season plus a couple of ideas to encourage new entrants.
The small number of runners last spring was leavened by some very competitive racing, suggesting that the current structure of race types is working as horses find their own level. This season appears to have gone well so far, notwithstanding the poor weather in January, which led to a loss of fixtures in that month for first time since 2015. This also makes the point that it would be very difficult to predict when a mid-season break would be sensible in Britain, for those interested in the concept. As a result, it’s much better to leave it to individual trainers.
However, horse numbers appear to be down again, which is disappointing and slightly worrying as we head into the spring season. The reduction in fixtures in some parts of the country will hopefully reduce the effect, but I am afraid it will be noticeable. Recognising that the reducing number of horses is the biggest threat to our sport, the PPA has contracted Jake Exelby to create a longer-term marketing plan with the focus on more horses/owners. It is a simple reality that the nature of our support base has changed and is continuing to change quite radically, meaning that they have much wider interests and that we are now competing with many other attractions. This means increasing churn and the need to gain greater numbers of new owners just to stand still. However, we are on it!
You will all have been thinking about the sport, and I am very hopeful there are some golden nuggets out there, as there are every year. Please do look at the possible changes below. Hopefully these will engender discussion across the sport, including with me in the field. However, I do want those thoughts fed back. The best way will be through representative bodies, such as the PPORA, PPSA and BHSA, who have their own Committee Meetings and lines of communication into the PPA office and board, the latter making the final decisions. However, for those of you who feel unrepresented, you can send letters to the PPA Office or e-mails to [email protected]. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions and make your points at the PPORA Forum at Stratford at the end of the season.
NB: It remains key that any changes are simple to understand and implement, both at fixture level and centrally.
Aye
Peter
Types of Races and Possible Amendments
A fuller explanation of the types of races and how they can be modified can be found in the ‘Point to Point Authority General Instruction (PPAGI) 1 – Race Framing’, which is available on the point-to-point website under Guides and Downloads, and is updated each year – you can read it here and I strongly recommend that you read the first three pages and then dip into it, rather than try to read the whole paper (unless you are an insomniac).
Opens. The Opens are the top level of racing within point-to-points. There are two types: those run with no penalties, and those which have penalties of up to 7lbs. Both types of Open up to 1st March also have 5lb penalties for horses that won in the previous season –either three races under rules or two races under rules and an Open. This is very seldom applied, but they may deter pothunters, so:
Question. Are the penalties for previous season worth retaining considering the confusion they sometimes cause?
Conditions Races. These come below the Open races and provide opportunities for schoolmasters returning from under rules as well as our progressive types who are not quite yet Open standard. There are three levels, which equate to different dates for eligibility and penalties. Whilst we need to let things unwind over a 3-year period, the current signs are that most owners and trainers now understand how they work, leading to competitive races. Unfortunately, the Owner-Trainer races were not well supported, but their place may have been taken by a group of Conditions races for 8yo+ horses who have not won above Restricted grade since 1st October 2020. These proved very successful last season and we don’t propose any changes.
Intermediate/Restricted Races. Contrary to popular opinion, the most popular route for horses in point-to-pointing remains going up through the progressive races. However, since numbers have fallen overall, it leads to low numbers of runners per race if too many of these types of race are run. The situation is further complicated in the early part of the season when there are very few fixtures. Some want/need Intermediate races, but there are not enough horses to make for good racing.
One possibility is to replace the pair with a combined race (name to be decided) in the early part of the season whereby those horses which have won one (or a Restricted) can continue to run in them but with a 5lb penalty, and winners qualify for the Intermediate final at Cheltenham.
Maiden Races. The breakdown of Maiden races has worked well, and the new series for Young Horses who have not raced under rules looks to be succeeding exceptionally well, which will hopefully lead to growth in this area. The one question that is raised is re the conditions of the Maiden Conditions race. This currently states:
For horses which have run in at least two point-to-point races (including point-to-point flat races).
Should this be changed to?
For horses which have run in at least two races, whether under rules or point-to-points.
Flat Races. It has been proposed that three-year-olds should be allowed to run in flat races in November and December with the possibility that some of these stores may then come to pointing. We would be grateful for comments.
Hunt Races. Hunt races are remarkably flexible and will remain as they are.
Other Possible Changes
Colours. In the past, most syndicates and partnerships were made up of people who did not have their own colours. Today, many of our owners, who traditionally owned their own horses, now have shares in several, with the result that several colours may be used. This can cause confusion in race cards and at declarations, risking further problems for Judges. One possibility is to have fixed colours for a partnership, simplifying the process and reducing the risks. However, this might reduce fun for people who already own their own colours. Again, grateful for comments.
Hunter Registration Responsibility. Next season, responsibility for many aspects of the horse will pass from owner to trainer, as under rules. However, we need to resolve whether the owner should remain responsible for registering the horse, or whether this should also pass to the trainer. There are interconnected issues concerning car passes so it’s not just about filling in the form. Comments?
Encouragement and Retention of Junior Jockeys. Currently, there are some novice rider races, and there is a 5lb allowance for novices in Opens. However, this does not help those who have won six races but have not got the experience of our top jockeys, who can get discouraged and leave the sport, often taking horses with them. It has therefore been proposed that at least one race on every card should exclude top jockeys. The options could include:
Novice Riders’ races (not just Conditions races).
No cat A or B riders (being trialled by Didmarton and Overton this season).
Riders up to 20 wins (being trialled by D&C this season).
Riders with three wins or fewer in the current season (from March).
Comments on the concept are welcomed, along with any other ideas for such niche races.
Encouragement of Smaller Yards. Races (from March) put on for trainers (excluding licensed trainers and their families) who have not won three point-to-points in the current season and no more than five in the previous season. There are a few of these races put on at present but they are not well known, whilst a nationally marketed series would make them more apparent.
Licensed Trainers. Recognising the need for more horses, should we allow licensed trainers to run horses for outside owners if ridden by their own novice staff (not holding Cat A or B licenses?) in certain selected Conditions races. This would assist with retention of staff for them whilst bringing more horses into point-to-pointing.
Race Timers. We have received a suggestion that we could include race timing for Young Horse Maidens, which would then provide accurate breakdowns by furlong etc. There would be some costs and increased workload so this would only be sensible if considered of worth. Again, comments welcomed.