Arena Racing Company (“ARC”) is pleased to announce a new series supporting mares racing at the grassroots of the sport.
The new Hereford Mares’ Chase Series is made up of 10 Class 4 races run over 2 miles 3 furlongs to 3 miles 1 furlong for horses rated 0-110, with a Class 2 Open Handicap Final worth £30,000, to be run on 15 December 2018 at Hereford Racecourse. The series of races will run across ARC racecourses in 2018 and horses must run in one of the qualifying races to be eligible for the final.
The first race in the series will take place this coming Saturday, 10 March, on Hereford’s annual Ladies Day which is expected to draw a crowd of over 2,500.
Jon Pullin, ARC Racing Director, said: “ARC is committed to helping support the mares’ race programme and we hope this series will provide additional suitable opportunity for mares, as well as the chance to compete in a valuable final at Hereford in December. We hope the Hereford Mares’ Chase Series will be well supported and will look to build on it in following years if it proves a success.”
Rebecca Davies, Executive Director of Hereford Racecourse, said: “In discussion with the BHA we want to continue to develop and enhance the race programme at Hereford to ensure competitive racing and create some feature days for racing fans to enjoy. I hope this Hereford Mares’ Chase Series helps provide further incentives for owners and trainers to keep mares in training and that they will target the £30,000 final at Hereford in December to ensure an exciting conclusion to the series.”
Nick Dartnall, BHA Race Planning Executive said: “The Hereford Mares’ Chase Series is an excellent opportunity for those mares below the median official rating of 112 to be able to qualify and compete for a £30,000 prize in December. This series will provide an essential additional layer to the evolving mares’ programme as a whole and we very much welcome Hereford’s initiative to assist in further encouraging the participation of mares at all levels.”
Henry Daly, National Hunt Trainer, said: “The Series is a fantastic opportunity for mares with some great prize money on offer for horses at the grassroots of the sport.”
Full race details are below:
| Dates | Racecourse | Distance |
| 10 March 2018 | Hereford | 3 miles 1 furlong |
| 13 April 2018 | Sedgefield | 2 miles 5 furlongs |
| 9 May 2018 | Fontwell Park | 2 miles 5 furlongs |
| 28 September 2018 | Worcester | 2 miles 4 furlongs |
| 13 October 2018 | Chepstow | 2 miles 7 furlongs |
| 24 October 2018 | Worcester | 2 miles 7 furlongs |
| 2 November 2018 | Uttoxeter | 2 miles 6 furlongs |
| 16 November | Newcastle | 2 miles 7 furlongs |
| 27 November | Lingfield Park | 2 miles 3 furlongs |
| 4 December 2018 | Southwell | 2 miles 7 furlongs |
| 15 December 2018 | Hereford | 3 miles 1 furlongs |
