- 76 High Value Developmental Races scheduled in 2026
- Over £2.8 million in prize money available across the programme
- Full schedule of races here.
High Value Developmental Races on the Flat will continue this season, with 76 races programmed to strengthen the British racing and breeding industry.
The novice and maiden races are run with enhanced prize money to support domestic breeding and encourage the purchase and racing of young talent in Britain.
The programme of high value races is possible thanks to the support of British Stallion Studs (EBF), Darley, Juddmonte and Tattersalls, who combine with the BHA Development Fund to provide financial support for the initiative.
The first High Value Developmental race of the year will take place on Friday 3 April before the programme runs through the Flat season, concluding on Thursday 3 December. It consists of a range of races to support promising young horses, with open races each offering at least £40,000 and restricted races worth a minimum of £30,000. The total prize-money across all races is expected to exceed £2.8 million.
Last season, there were several notable examples of horses progressing to pattern level after running in one of the developmental races, including:
- VENETIAN SUN (IRE) – Won the £40,000 British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes on debut at Carlisle in May. She followed that up with success in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, before landing the Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes (Gr 2) and Prix Morny (Gr 1). Finishing the season with a rating of 114, Venetian Sun was one of the highest-rated British-trained horses in the end-of-season European 2yo Classification.
- COPPULL (GB) – Made a winning start to his career in the Juddmonte British EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes at Leicester in April and finished third in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot next time out. He then won the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood, after which trainer Clive Cox said the Middle Park Stakes would be his main target. He ended his season with a strong third-placed effort in that race, finishing within a length of winner Wise Approach.
- CONSENT (IRE) – Won the £40,000 Darley EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Newbury on 19 July before winning the Group 1 Qatar Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp. During the season she also finished runner-up in the Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes (Gr 2) at Doncaster and in the Prix Lady O’Reilly (Gr 3) at Deauville.
- BLUE BOLT (IRE) – Began her 3yo campaign with victory in the £40,000 Darley EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Newbury in June. She won the Listed Coral Distaff on her next start before finishing her season with a runner-up effort to Fallen Angel in the Group 1 BetMGM Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket.
- ZANTHOS (FR) – The Simon & Ed Crisford-trained filly made a winning debut in the Tattersalls £40,000 EBF “Newcomers” Maiden Fillies’ Stakes in August, before going on to score at Group 2 level in the Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket.
Richard Wayman, Director of Racing at the BHA, said:
“We are pleased to confirm the continuation of the High Value Developmental programme for the 2026 Flat season as part of a wider strategy that aims to see more high-quality horses bred, trained and raced in Britain.
“The High Value Developmental races are not only helping to incentivise the racing and breeding of talented horses in Britain, but we are now seeing increasing examples of the positive role they are playing in the development of young horses with graduates going on to succeed at the very highest level.
“The ongoing success of this initiative would not be possible without the sponsorship support of British Stallion Studs (EBF), Juddmonte, Darley and Tattersalls. We are also grateful to the Horseracing Betting Levy Board and our host racecourses, whose backing ensures these races continue to be run at an elevated level.”
Kerry Murphy, CEO at the European Breeders’ Fund, said:
“There is no question that prizemoney is the most important factor for owners. This series of £30k and £40k races is a great example of collaboration and what can be achieved. The British EBF has long supported higher value two-year-old maiden races and that this series is heading into its fourth year is a huge positive.”
Douglas Erskine Crum, CEO at Juddmonte, said:
“Juddmonte is delighted to support financially again this year’s further enhancements. These high prize money developmental races directly support owners and breeders in areas that can be overlooked and thereby support our UK breeding industry.”
Sam Bullard, Director of Stallions at Darley, said:
“The Darley Maiden Series is now a well-established and extremely positive programme that has successfully showcased future Group 1 winners among numerous high-quality racehorses. Darley is delighted to continue this sponsorship.
“Darley is absolutely committed to supporting breeders, either through this development series or via our contribution to the EBF. We are looking forward to the first of the Darley series at Newbury on 17 April.”
Jason Singh, Marketing Director at Tattersalls, said:
“Tattersalls are delighted to continue our support for the High Value Developmental races as we continue to widen our support for British racing with numerous high-profile sponsorships, to complement our widely acclaimed £25,000 October Book 1 Bonus and the ever-popular sales races.
“Our sponsorship of the High Value Developmental races will ensure that not only is prizemoney for British Group and Listed races the best in Europe, but that there are a significant number of Maiden and Novice races whose prizemoney compares favourably with all other racing jurisdictions globally.”
