Row brews over Flat jockeys' title dates

Reigning title-holder Richard Hughes has described the decision to crown the champion jockey on winners between the Guineas meeting in May and Qipco British Champions Day in October as "good progress" - but not everybody is so happy.

Hughes has declared his intention to go all out to win a fourth crown in what will be his final season in the saddle before he starts a training career in 2016.

Formally announced by Great British Racing on Monday, the changes to the jockeys' championship have been devised to make a title charge less of a grind for its participants, and to "provide a more compelling storyline for new and existing racing fans".

For the first time, the champion jockey will also be rewarded financially, with £25,000 awarded to the winner.

There will also be prizes for the runner-up, leading apprentice and a jockey of the month competition in association with Channel 4 Racing.

"This is good progress and I will be all out to win a fourth successive championship this year under the new format before I retire," said Hughes, in a GBR media release.

"Anything which helps to raise the profile of the sport and is of benefit for the weighing room is something that I'm all for.

"Over the last 30 years, the number of racedays has almost doubled and the sheer volume of racing has meant that the title battle is a real grind.

"It took me 20 years to win my first championship and I am certainly in no mood to give up my title now.

"That it now covers the core summer racing season means that it will be less of a slog for the lads in the weighing room."

Frankie Dettori, three times a champion under the old format, said: "This makes complete sense. The profile of racing has changed.

"You need a good start and a good finish with the leading contenders present. Racing needs to make more of us jockeys and the rivalry between us to engage the public.

"I believe it will heighten the intensity of the competition, which is exactly what we should be doing in the sport.

"Under the old system there wasn't as much fanfare around the championships but it's what you see in Formula 1 and other sports and fans really get involved."

Last season's champion apprentice Oisin Murphy said: "I think it's a brilliant idea because the Guineas and Champions Day are two of the most high-profile days in the calendar so it makes total sense to run the Championships then.

"It's also great that riders starting out have something to fight for as well and are included in these changes."

With no agreement reached between GBR and trainers, the 2015 Flat trainers' championship will not be part of the redefined format and will be awarded to the trainer who has sent out horses to win the most prize-money on both turf and all-weather tracks from November 9, 2014 to November 7, 2015.

Rod Street, chief executive of Great British Racing, said: "We believe the new Flat championships will provide a better opportunity to promote racing and generate greater interest in their outcomes.

"The crowning of our leading players at Qipco British Champions Day creates a fitting finale to the Flat season and will help us to raise the profiles of the sport's stars, which can only be good for racing."

Paul Struthers, chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association, said: "It's a big step forward that professional jockeys will be financially rewarded for their success in this way and, whilst we accept that the changes won't be met with universal approval, our board approved the revised format.

"Hopefully the less attritional nature of the championship, combined with the new rewards, will ensure that more of the leading jockeys actively compete for the title, whilst the overall championship package will ensure a wider group of jockeys are also rewarded."

The move towards new championship parameters also has the support of the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) and the British Horseracing Authority.

ROA president Rachel Hood said: "Through the ROA, I have long advocated a change to our championship periods which are dated, don't reflect how the fixture list has changed and largely fail to engage the public's interest.

"It is appropriate that the leading owners should be crowned on the finale of the Flat season, Qipco British Champions Day.

"As the stars of our sport, we appreciate that the focus will be on the jockeys' title race (and, hopefully, in due course the trainers' championship, too), but it is fitting that the leading owners should be celebrated on this prestigious day as well."

Former champion jockey Kevin Darley said he was in favour of the changes.

"I was an advocate of the old Doncaster-Doncaster season, but time has moved on," said Darley.

"The new championships will help raise the profile of the lads fighting for the title and there will still be an all-weather championship.

"From a personal point of view I think it will make it more of a spectacle and make it a highlight. The dynamics of Flat racing have changed with the introduction of all-weather racing, as that is 52 weeks a year now.

"It's got to be good if it raises the profile of our champion jockey."

However, reaction to the changes has been less favourable in other quarters, with several jockeys and trainers questioning the idea.

Referring to the big races that take place before and after the new dates of the championship, rider Luke Morris tweeted: "The so-called narrative will now read that the Classic trials are irrelevant, as well as the Racing Post Trophy."

Meanwhile, trainer Mark Johnston wrote on his own website: "You can now brace yourself for the departure of our top jockeys, to sunnier, more lucrative, climes in early October. They may, or may not, return for the Craven meeting but you can take it that the majority will only ride in Britain for six months of the year. Another great idea from the folks at Racing For No Change."

His colleague Ed Dunlop also described the changes to the make-up of the competiton as "a little odd".

"It appears to favour jockeys who are riding abroad at both the beginning and end of our domestic season," he said.

"While I am sure that this will make for compelling viewing, with the title race likely to be closer than has been the case in the past couple of seasons, the move does seem to contradict the underlying ideal of the title: that consistency should merit reward.

"What makes AP McCoy’s achievements over jumps so special is that he has proven to be the most consistent jockey for so long – not just at the premier fixtures, but day-in day-out at the less glamourous meetings.

"It seems only right that the pilot willing to travel the length and breadth of the country to secure the crown is the one rewarded for their endeavour, and this new initiative will remove us significantly from that concept on the Flat. I am yet to be convinced that this is a good move."