BHA wants to exclude bad horses

From 2009, the poorest horses — a handicap mark of 45 or less has been suggested — could be blocked from taking part. A gradual reduction in the number of fixtures, from this year's record 1,504 is also being considered.

Right mix: Paul Roy

The plans will be discussed at next month's BHA board meeting but the proposal to trim the fixture list seems sure to face opposition from racecourses.# However, studies conducted by the BHA have shown that money raised from betting turnover on poor races barely covers the cost of putting them on.

Because some tracks have three-year leases on voluntary fixtures, which are not funded by the BHA, a gradual reduction in the number of annual fixtures is likely to take place.

Next year, provided there is approval of recommendations made by the Fixtures Review Group, there will be about 50 fewer meetings, with a similar reduction in 2010 and 2011.

There has been massive overproduction of horses by breeders in recent years but the BHA is determined that poor horses should not be accommodated.

The bulk of races to be culled are likely to be all weather fixtures which have produced small field sizes during the early weeks of 2008.

At the BHA's first conference since its creation in July, chairman Paul Roy said there will be a major effort to replace the Levy as the principal system of raising funds for prizemoney from the betting industry.

Roy said: "In our study of the fixture list, the importance of quality racing as the main driver to raise the sport's appeal became apparent.

"We have to stop and ask whether we've got the right mix with single-figure field sizes, prizemoney that doesn't cover the cost of the transport, too few spectators and empty betting shops. Sponsors just aren't interested in these races.

"There is the question of improving the minimum rating for horses and this is now worthy of serious analysis and debate. We've got to shake off old assumptions. Racing has stood still in the past five years."