The conditions for the Le Trot races for Aged horses will be much the same as at the end of 2016. However, after looking at the distribution of monies won among the horses likely to race in 2017 - and the fact that we do not have many new ones - we will make one change. The aim is to provide better opportunities for mid-range horses.
This change will be in addition to staging some conditioned races, such as for ‘non-winners in last 5 starts’. These will not be announced far in advance.
The change
We previously had one main threshold at £3500 and intermediate ones at £1750 in non-threshold races only and £5500 in threshold races only.
In 2017, we will run 3 types of race, not 2.
Low: for horses under 3500, with 20 trail at 1750 [this is the old non-threshold race]
Intermediate: for horses between 1750 and 5500, with 20 trail at 3500 [this is the new type of race for which horses under 1750 or over 5500 are ineligible]
High: for horses 3500 or over, with 20 trail at 5500 [this is the old threshold race]
Entries will determine which type of race/s are carded at a meeting.
Note that there are no grades of horse, just types of race.
Preferred draw on Le Trot monies won, unless otherwise stated.
After listening to feedback, we have decided that the 5for5 system is too demanding, so we will move to a 3for3 requirement. There is, however, nothing to stop someone making a 4for4 or 5for5 payment if they wish to do so to save transactions.
There is now just one month to go before possible opening events at York and Amman Valley on May 1 – if your 3yo is qualified! As always, events are held subject to six entries.
Here are the current plans (track secretaries: please send any errors or omissions to trobritain@gmail.com)
HARD TRACKS
Tir Prince
Le Trot Aged races and 3yo Championship heats at every meeting, subject to entries
Dates: May 6 and 20, June 17, July 15 and 25, August 1 and 19, September 1, 9, 23, October 14)
featuring
June 17 The Roosevelt 1 mile
July 15 George Dixon Memorial 1 and 1/2 miles
August 1 Ephie Mather Memorial 1 mile and quarter
August 19 Douglas Lewis Memorial 1 mile
September 9 Tir Prince 3yo Le Trot Championship Finals 1 mile
September 23 TROTBritain Le TROT Derby 1 1/2 miles Heats [nominations by May 1; sustaining by June 1]
October 14 TROTBritain Le TROT Derby 1 1/2 miles Finals
York
Le Trot Aged races and 3yo heats at every meeting, subject to entries
Dates: May 1 and 13. June 24, July 8 and 29, August 5-6, October 7
featuring
October 7 Prakas Derby 1 mile
October 7 Prakas Championship 1 mile
Chelmsford
Dates: August 15, September 30, October 12
Featuring (1 mile, 1 furlong)
August 15 Malcom Ali Memorial
September 30 George Button Senior Challenge Cup, Fleet Hire Trophy
Amman Valley
Dates: May 1, 7 and 29, June 4, July 23, August 28
Aged and 3yo heats at any meeting subject to entries
Wolverhampton
October 1
Corbiewood
Either type of race can be offered on any date, subject to entries
GRASS TRACKS
May 14 Tregaron 1 Aged
May 29 Appleby 1 Aged and 1 3yo
June 11 Pike Hall 2 Aged and 1 3yo
July 2 Ceredigion 2 Aged and 1 3yo heat
July 8 Evenwood
July 22 Musselburgh 2 Aged and 1 3yo heat (latter on July 21)
August 26 Tregaron 2 aged and 1 3yo (latter on August 25)
Here are the full results of the 41 Le TROT races in 2016.