The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has published its 2026 fixture list, which provides a strategic £77m investment package aimed at strengthening the quality and competitiveness of British racing, while addressing the critical need to increase the number of horses trained and retained in the country.

Approved by the BHA Board and developed in conjunction with the sport’s cross-industry Commercial Committee, the 2026 calendar signals a renewed focus on boosting prize money at all levels of the race programme  from grassroots novice events to elite black-type contests — in a bid to reinforce the UK’s position as a global racing and breeding powerhouse.

A key component of the plan is a £4.4m uplift in prize money, made possible by an enhanced contribution from the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB). This includes over £3.2m for developmental races, namely novice and maiden events, designed to incentivise ownership and encourage more horses to race under British rules.

Following changes, Flat novice and maiden races will carry minimum prize funds of £10,000 (£8,000 for restricted races), while Jump novices and maidens will be run for at least £10,000, with novice chases increased to £15,000. The BHA will also introduce a £250,000 bonus series for point-to-point graduates, seeking to strengthen the pipeline of National Hunt talent.

Higher up the ladder, the Black Type programme on the Flat will benefit from a further £2m in funding, focused on midsummer showpieces such as the Al Basti Dubai July Cup, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes and the Juddmonte International Stakes. The aim is to attract stronger domestic and international fields to Britain’s most valuable races, increasing their appeal to bettors and broadcasters alike.

Feature contests shown on ITV Racing will also receive more targeted support, reflecting their importance in engaging the wider public and elevating racing’s visibility in a competitive sporting landscape.

The 2026 fixture volume will remain broadly consistent with 2025, but the BHA plans to implement further tactical adjustments to improve field sizes and race balance. 

Code breaks and rider-restricted meetings will be introduced to ease pressure on jockeys, while earlier finish times will be trialled at floodlit fixtures in the first quarter of the year to support racecourse and broadcast staff.

The BHA will refine the structure of the calendar to make flagship occasions more visible and accessible. This includes a defined number of Premier Race Days, clearer Flat and Jump seasons, and the introduction of 10-minute promotional gaps ahead of major Saturday races.

Richard Wayman, Director of Racing at the BHA, said the reforms represent a strategic bridge between the current two-year trial of scheduling and funding innovations, and longer-term changes expected from 2027 onwards.

“Our aim is to deliver high-quality, competitive racing that appeals to owners and fans alike,” he said. “The focus on growing the base of horses trained in Britain is critical not just for sustainability, but for maintaining our global reputation.”

“We’re investing in the races that provide vital early experience for horses, as well as the headline contests that drive customer engagement. Like other sports, it is our marquee events that offer the biggest opportunity to attract new audiences and commercial investment.”