Levy Board sets out £65m for 2012 races

The total number of fixtures has been reduced by 24 to 1,456, but the Levy Board has committed to an expenditure budget of £65 million – some £13m more than forecast in September.

This indicates a rise of £5m on this year’s budget, and of the extra £4.5m available to racing £4.2m will be allocated towards prizemoney.

The publication of the fixture list was delayed in September due to concerns about a lack of funding and a declining horse population, but RCA chief executive Stephen Atkin feels the delay was “fully justified”. “The RCA is pleased that the 2012 fixture list has now been finalised and published. We believe that, in view of the challenging economic conditions facing the sport, the end result is the best outcome for all involved with racing,” he said.

“The RCA has worked alongside BHA [British Horseracing Authority], the Levy Board and the Horsemen’s Group to complete the process in little over two weeks since the Levy Scheme was settled on 31 October.

“The new Levy Board 2012 expenditure budget of £65 million is £13m higher than the forecast in September and £5m higher than 2011 expenditure. Of the extra £4.5m available to racing, £4.2m will go into prize money with the full support of the RCA. This will predominantly be targeted at improving, through a Quality Support Fund, the balance of the race programme and with the aim of improving field sizes.”

Kieren Fallon, meanwhile, is to face the disciplinary panel of the BHA on Monday relating to his failure to arrive in time to take his first two rides at Chester on 5 May.

The panel will consider whether or not the six-times champion breached any of the Rules of Racing after failing to take the rides on Fred Willetts and Forte Dei Marmi. They will ask why he failed to inform the clerk of the course with an explanation as to why he might miss those two booked mounts, whether he provided inaccurate information, omitted anything relevant or whether he misled an employee of the BHA.