New Minimum Rating Requirements

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and Flat Pattern Committee (FPC) plan to introduce minimum rating criteria for all Group 1 races other than those restricted to 2-year-olds. From 2018 onwards no horse will be permitted to run in a non-two-year-old Group 1 race unless it has achieved an official rating of at least 80 by the day before the confirmation stage of the race, or in the absence of an official rating that their racecourse performance(s) have been assessed by the handicapper as being 80 or more. Commenting on the news Ruth Quinn, director of international racing & racing development for the BHA, said, “The question of whether the races that form the pinnacle of our sport should require a minimum standard of competitiveness from equine participants is one that has been discussed in the past, but without an agreement being reached. Thanks to the Professional Jockeys Association putting it back on the agenda, a further proposal was already being considered by the FPC before the issues surrounding this year's Derby put into clear focus the need for action to be taken.”

Quinn continued, “Introducing a minimum rating for these races has three clear benefits. Firstly, it will help protect the welfare of the human and equine participants in our major races by reducing the risk that comes with inferior horses competing against far superior opponents. Secondly, it will ensure that the risk of unsatisfactory results in these races is reduced by taking out the unknown factor and complications that can be caused in-running by an inferior horse. Finally, it will help preserve the reputation and public perception of our top races as crown-jewel events, ensuring the focus can remain on these races identifying and celebrating our sport's champions.”

The issue of low rated horses taking part in elite races came to prominence before this year's G1 Epsom Derby when Diore Lia (Ire) (Yeats {Ire}) became the subject of intense media scrutiny due to her owner's insistence that the filly run in the Derby despite her seemingly hopeless chance of being in the frame. After many column inches being devoted to whether the filly should or shouldn't be permitted to take her chance she was withdrawn on the morning of the race due to a training injury.