BHA forced into U-turn after furious backlash from jockeys over proposed additional Flat meetings
RACING chiefs have backed down after a furious backlash from Flat jockeys over proposed additional Flat meetings this weekend.
The BHA was considering staging additional all-weather fixtures on Saturday and Sunday because of the threat posed to jumps racing by freezing temperatures.
But that would have cut short an eight-day winter break for the Flat, which started on Sunday.
A text message was sent to all jockeys by the Professional Jockeys Association asking for their feedback, which jockey Callum Shepherd posted on social media.
The response was overwhelmingly negative, with jockeys and trainers angered at the prospect of having their only week off of the year ended prematurely.
So the BHA canned the idea and will instead stage a seven-race ‘jumpers bumper’ card for National Hunt horses on the all-weather at Southwell on Sunday.
OFFERS OF THE DAY
Tote: Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
Virgin Bet: Bet £10 Get £20 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Horse Racing Bets – CLAIM HERE
Tote: New customers online only. Place your first bet on racing pools for a minimum of £5 and win or lose you will receive £20 Tote Credit. £20 Tote Credit rewarded as £10 redeemable against racing bets only and £10 redeemable against UK and Irish placepot bets only. Tote Credit cannot be withdrawn, exchanged, or substituted and expires after 7 days. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the bet-slip. Ten to Follow, virtual and football bets do not qualify. Totewin will be the qualifying bet when a Totewin and a Toteplace bet are struck at the same time. New UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org
Virgin Bet: New members. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook, placed & settled at 1.5 min odds within 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. 2 non-withdrawable £10 Free Bet Tokens: accept in 7 days, valid for 7 days from acceptance (ex. E/Ws & Multiples), stakes not returned. Click here for Rules & Exclusions. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org 18+ begambleaware.org
Betfair: New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy’s Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: 18+NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 3 X £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ONLY REDEEMABLE ON HORSE RACING. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Temperatures could dip as low as -4 at both Newbury and Newcastle on Saturday, while there is the risk of snow and frost at Leicester and Carlisle the following day.
Three chase races have already been abandoned at Carlisle, which will be an all hurdles card.
A BHA spokesperson said: “The BHA explored the feasibility of staging additional Flat fixtures this weekend.
“However, having considered feedback from across the sport and the practical implications of doing so, it has been determined that these fixtures should not take place during the full Flat code break.
“This is vital to support our participant’s welfare and protect the opportunity for them to have their break after a busy season of Flat racing.
“Especially following what has already been a period of adding in a high volume of additional all-weather fixtures.”
There was a strong initial reaction to Shepherd’s tweet, which the BHA clearly paid attention to.
Top jockey Jason Hart said: “It shows just what the BHA think of racing’s participants. We get one week off a year – one week.”
Group 1 winner Dougie Costello added: “They should put on a jump all-weather meeting to help the jump jockeys that miss rides and income, but they won’t because bookies know the turnover is crap on those cards.”
Trainer Alice Haynes said: “Trainers have not been asked their opinions on this, but a Flat racing break should be just that.”
FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org