QSF increase to benefit summer races

These competitive races, integral to the amount of turnover generated by the betting Levy, will benefit from an enhanced Quality Support Fund that will increase in value from £1.7m to £4.9m.

No details of the races to benefit have been announced, but BHA racing director Ruth Quinn welcomed the announcement which comes a month after the Levy Board announced its contribution to racing’s finances in 2012 would increase to £65m.

“As we have mentioned a number of times throughout this year, we have seen a significant imbalance in the Flat programme develop with a marked downgrading of races,” said Quinn.

“The noticeable decrease in the number of opportunities available in the higher-classes, at the expense of an over-supply of lower grade races, has been a serious frustration for many people.”

Levy chief executive Douglas Erskine-Crum added: “Encouraging racecourses to stage a more balanced race programme overall, particularly on the Flat, should benefit Levy yield.”

However, there will be consternation in some quarters that National Hunt racing will receive just £500,000 of the increased QSF allocation of £3.2m.

n Is Benny Be Good too good? Page 21.