Race definition changes

TWO-YEAR-OLD NOVICE DEFINITION

The definition of a two-year-old novice is being amended to better support the overall programme by encouraging more two-year-olds to enter handicap company in the latter stages of the Flat season.

From the start of the 2025 Flat turf season, a two-year-old novice will be defined as any horse that has not had more than two completed runs, except if it is yet to win a race under the rules of a recognised racing authority or is a two-year-old and the race is before 1 July.

This means that a two-year-old who has completed three or more runs and won a race will no longer be classed as a two-year-old novice from 1 July onwards.

These changes came into effect from the beginning of the 2025 Flat turf season (Saturday 29 March).

 

JUMP NOVICE DEFINITION

Horseracing Ireland (HRI) has announced the introduction of a small number of ‘Academy Hurdle Races’ for the 2025/26 Jump season. These are similar to National Hunt Junior Hurdles in Britain, where the winners of these races are not precluded from competing in novice hurdles the following Jump season.

To support the development of young National Hunt Stock across both Britain and Ireland, this protection will also be applied to the winners of Academy Races in Ireland, who will therefore be able to compete in British novice hurdles the following season. However, Britain will not reciprocate the maiden status that HRI is offering to its own winners in Ireland.

These changes came into effect from the beginning of the 2025/26 National Hunt season (Sunday 27 April).

 

WALK OVERS

In the rare event of a walkover, the remaining horse in the race will no longer need to be ridden across the finish line to be declared the winner. This change is designed to reduce the overall impact of a walkover and remove the additional requirements placed on participants.