• All British Flat racecourses have been re-measured by independent surveyors
• Any changes will be published on the BHA website and in the Racing Calendar on 13 April 2017
• Project ensures greater accuracy of information for the racing industry and the betting public

British Racing’s ongoing commitment to improve the accuracy of information provided to racegoers, punters and the sport’s participants will take a step forward next month as the project to re-measure all Flat racecourses is completed.

Flat-only racecourses, Flat tracks at Dual Purpose courses and All-Weather tracks have had their distances re-measured using independent surveyors in co-ordination with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the Racecourse Association (RCA). The project was initiated following feedback from the Horserace Bettors Forum (HBF), with any changes to distances due to be published on 13 April on the BHA website and in the Racing Calendar.

The project follows the re-measurement of Jump race distances in 2015 and is the first time Flat race distances have been re-measured since 1991. Courses have been professionally surveyed to the nearest yard on a line that is two yards off the innermost rail. This will ensure greater accuracy of racing data, which will benefit both the racing industry and the betting public.

In the vast majority of cases, any changes to advertised distances resulting from re-measurement are not likely to be significant. This is because the measuring line and methodology has not changed since the last re-measurement, in contrast to the re-measurement of Jump racecourses when both were altered.

As a result of the current project, some racecourses may amend distances or move starts to reflect advertised race distances. Clerks of the Course will retain the flexibility to move rails both before and on racedays to ensure the best and safest possible racing surface.

The new distances and amended starts will appear in all publications and platforms for fixtures taking place from 8 May onwards, beginning with the Racing Calendar published on 13 April. At this time, the BHA will also make a full list available on its website (https://www.britishhorseracing.com/resource-centre/racecourse/).

Details of a small number of racecourses with declarations before 13 April and which have decided to move starts or change distances following re-measurement are given below:

Notes to editors:

1. The only course not to have its Flat distances re-measured so far is Ffos Las as they do not host Flat racing until 17 July 2017 and the survey will be completed in advance of this date. The Racecourse Association, formed in 1907, is the trade association for British racecourses.

2. The RCA serves the interests of its 59 British racecourse members both inside and outside the sport, empowering them to be the best venues that they can be.

The RCA works on behalf of racecourses to represent their views within the sport through the tripartite structure of the Members’ Agreement alongside BHA and The Horsemen’s Group.Outside of horseracing, we work alongside the Government, other sports and leisure venues, and national charities to meet the needs of racecourses.

Additionally, the RCA encourages and facilitates racecourse community engagement, involvement in horse welfare initiatives, responsible drinking campaigns, and various other partnerships within the sport. For more information please contact Will Aitkenhead on 01344 873536.

3. The HBF was created in August, 2015, with the assistance of the BHA to represent the perceived interests of those who bet upon, or who might bet upon, British horseracing.

The HBF seeks to ensure that those interests are understood and taken into account in the relevant decision-making processes, for the good of both bettors and the sport of horseracing in Britain.

The HBF consists of nine members – all voluntary and unpaid – who convene roughly once every three months to discuss issues that they feel are relevant to British horseracing punters. The HBF has no mandatory powers, but, where appropriate, it will seek to influence policy in accordance with its stated objectives.For more information please contact [email protected] or @HbfBritain on Twitter.