New race definitions and penalties

Final version of new race definitions and penalties for 2025-26 season

• · Novice Rider allowances
• 5lb claim up to 10 wins
• Allowance can be claimed in all races except Maiden and Flat Races (usual regulations and licence categories apply)
• Allowances are calculated each Thursday and stand until the following Thursday
• Cannot be claimed in Novice Rider Races
• Can be claimed in Grass Roots Races

If a jockey starts the season as a novice rider with under 10 wins, they are eligible for the Novice rider’s championship with all the winners gained counting towards the championship.

As soon as a jockey hits ten wins they can no longer ride in novice rider races.

Races restricted to Novice Riders, Grassroots Rider or any club requirement can be added to any race of Restricted level or above. It is expected that these will most commonly be added to Reserved Rating races, Progressive races or Open races.

• · Maiden Race
• To remain unaltered
• 4-&-5-year olds Future Stars Maiden series (not open to horses that have previously run under rules)
• · Restricted Race
• To remain unaltered
• Intermediate Race
• To remain unaltered
• Reserved Ratings Race
• For horses which have never had a rating over 110 under rules, nor won an Open point-to-point OR Hunter Chase in the current or preceding season.

Penalties calculated from 1^st October 2024:

• o For each win in a Conditions race, Reserved Ratings race or Progressive race + 5lbs
• o Maximum Penalty 10lbs

Progressive Race

For Horses that have not won more than one Open Race or one race under rules in the current season or preceding season.

Penalties calculated from 1^st October 2024:

• o Each Conditions Race win + 5lbs
• o Each Progressive Race win + 5lbs
• o Each Open win + 5 lbs
• o Maximum penalty allowed is 10lbs (greater than that they are ineligible)
• o Horses cannot win more than two Progressive Races
• Open Races

Penalties calculated from 1^st October 2024

• o A winner since 1^st October 2024 of two or more Flat, Hurdle, Chases races under rules or Open Point-to-Points (or combination of) +4 lbs
• o A winner since 1^st October 2024 of three or more Flat, Hurdle, Chases races under rules, or Open Point-to-Points (or combination of) + 6lbs

Some areas will run Open Races with NO penalties

• · Hands and heels series
• Introduction of new hands and heels series
• Novice Riders can claim allowances