Newcastle get 37 meetings for all-weather

Newcastle will host 37 fixtures on the all-weather in 2016 following the announcement of the new fixture list in Britain.

In total, 1,482 meetings have been programmed, 11 more than this year. The ratio of Flat to jumps remains broadly the same, with a marginal increase in all-weather fixtures, meaning the highest on an artificial surface since 2009.

There will be 1,118 afternoon fixtures, 258 in the evening and 106 twilight meetings.

The conversion of Newcastle's Gosforth Park Flat course to a floodlit all-weather mile was controversial in some quarters and will see its first fixture scheduled for Tuesday, May 17.

Jumps meetings at Newcastle remain unchanged at 12.

British Horseracing Authority chief executive Nick Rust said: "I'm pleased we have been able to publish the fixture list much earlier this year than has been the case in previous years.

"We are grateful to the racecourses for their part in this, especially those who engaged in the process of ironing out some of the geographical clashes which were so frustrating to horsemen, racecourses and the racing public alike.

"One of British racing's strongest assets is the quality and variety of its racing. As such we are pleased to have broadly maintained the balance between jumps, Flat turf and all-weather fixtures despite our board's decision to permit the entrance of an all-weather track in the north.

"The fact that the balance has been maintained is due to the robust and fair allocation process for BHA fixtures which rewards sporting performance alongside prize-money contribution.

"Now that we have the 2016 fixture list completed, we have created time to work closely with senior representatives of the Horsemen and the racecourses within the spirit and framework of the forthcoming tripartite agreement, to consider how we can better align future fixture lists to the growth drivers for our sport - racehorse ownership (and numbers of horses in training), racing fans (including racecourse attendances) and betting.

"With the right spirit and structure in place, we can together grow the appeal and ultimately the financial well-being of our great sport.

"Alongside work on future fixture lists, the BHA is also kicking off a consultation with our stakeholders on an holistic approach to the race programme and its planning.

"We must better match opportunities to available horses in training, whilst sustaining developmental races and proper pathways for different types of horses throughout each season.

"We aim to create an adaptable, transparent and interactive approach which delivers a much better result for our participants and supports the sport's growth drivers."