Fixture Criteria
(amended)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 2025
The detail below explains how the criteria will operate in 2025.
April – September
- Up to a maximum of five fixtures per day Monday – Friday, with at least two fixtures in the afternoon session. Non-afternoon fixtures can be a combination of evening and floodlit, to a maximum of three fixtures.
- On Fridays between 30 May and 29 August inclusive, up to six fixtures per day, including up to three afternoon and three evening fixtures.
- Up to four fixtures on a Saturday afternoon and two on a Saturday evening. Exceptions apply to 10 May, 7 June and 6 September, when four fixtures will be fully funded and one fixture will receive 50% ratecard funding. All fixtures will receive a full Raceday Services Grant (RSG).
- Up to three fixtures on Sunday.
October - March
Afternoons
(e) Up to three fixtures on Monday - Friday. Exception applies to 17 October, when four fixtures will be fully funded..
(f) Up to four fixtures on Saturday, including Matinee or Twilight fixtures where scheduled. .
(g) Up to three fixtures on Sunday.
Floodlits
(h) Up to one fixture Monday – Saturday, January to April. On April Mondays to Fridays in the defined Evening Fixture period, the floodlit fixture can be part of a maximum three-fixture session made up of evening and floodlit fixtures.
(i) Up to two fixtures Monday – Saturday, September to December. On September Mondays to Fridays in the defined Evening fixture period, the floodlit fixtures can be part of a maximum three-fixture session made up of evening and floodlit fixtures.
(j) Up to one fixture on Sundays.
Christmas Period
(k) Funding for normal Criteria slots as above is available up to and including 22 December
(k) 26: See Bank Holiday below
(l) 27: Three afternoon fixtures and one floodlit
(m) 28 - 31: Two afternoon fixtures and one Floodlit, on all days other than Saturdays, when up to three afternoon fixtures and one Floodlit will be Criteria. The Challow Hurdle fixture at Newbury, unlike other fixtures in this period, is not always staged on the same date. 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
(n) Up to four fixtures will be funded at 100% and the remaining fixtures will receive 50% ratecard funding. All fixtures will receive a full RSG. New Year’s Day is recognised as a Bank Holiday for funding purposes in 2025.
Cheltenham Festival Week
(o) Tuesday - Thursday: Two afternoon fixtures and two floodlit fixtures to be Criteria
(p) Friday: Three afternoon fixtures and two floodlit fixtures to be Criteria.
Definitions
Evening Fixture – An evening fixture between 11 April and to 14 September inclusive.
Floodlit Fixture – An evening fixture between 1 January and 10 April and 15 September to 31 December (This excludes Kelso running an evening fixture on 17 September).