HORSE Racing Ireland is working with the British Horseracing Authority to allow more “breathing space” to feature races on Saturdays in both jurisdictions this year.

For many years the two racing bodies have co-operated with broadcasters and bookmakers by trying to minimise race clashes. This stepped up a level in October 2020 when non-standard racetimes were introduced on a permanent basis.

In 2024, British racing introduced a protected Saturday afternoon window as part of a two-year trial of fixture list initiatives. The trial put a limit on the number of fixtures that could take place in a two-hour protected window, primarily between 2pm and 4pm, to give Britain’s best fixtures and races more space and visibility to help grow interest in the sport.

According to the BHA, betting data confirms that major races produce significantly higher turnover when given an increased lead time, compared to other races where turnover generally grows less significantly with the same lead time.

However, the trial also caused congestion elsewhere in the day and “impacted attendance at many, although not all, fixtures that were moved out of their traditional slots”.

This year the BHA has decided to move away from the blanket protected window and adopt a more targeted approach to its major races. The BHA has identified approximately 100 major Saturday races throughout the year which, it is planned, will have a minimum of a 10-minute clear gap before the scheduled start time. For example, if a major race such as the Grand National is set for 3.30pm, the race prior will be scheduled to have finished by 3.20pm.

“This may require slightly longer gaps between races at other Saturday afternoon fixtures - up to a maximum of 45 minutes,” said a BHA spokesperson. “But we hope racecourses will be able to use these gaps to find other ways of engaging their customers, including promoting and showing the major race. We will seek to limit the number of extended gaps as much as we can, and ensure no single racecourse is disproportionately affected throughout the year.”

The BHA says it is working collaboratively with both ITV and Horse Racing Ireland to make this possible. “While we can’t control Irish race times, we are engaging closely with HRI to align on this concept where possible and extend similar benefits to major Irish races that take place on Saturday afternoons,” the BHA said.

“This acknowledges both any support they will be able to offer us, as well as the overall benefit to racing of supporting the best races in Ireland and the interest that they generate from British customers.”