Arena Racing Company (“ARC”) offer the following update on fixtures planned between 17 to 23 January 2023. This includes the announcement of the abandonment of National Hunt fixtures at Newcastle on Thursday 19 and Lingfield Park on Friday 20 January.
Wednesday 18 January
- Southwell –7 Race All-Weather Fixture – No issues currently expected.
Thursday 19 January
- Newcastle – National Hunt Fixture – Abandoned due to frozen ground.
Friday 20 January
- Lingfield Park – National Hunt Fixture (Day One, Winter Million Festival) – Abandoned due to frozen ground.
- Newcastle – 7 Race All-Weather Fixture – No issues currently expected
- Southwell – 7 Race All-Weather Fixture – No issues currently expected
Saturday 21 January
- Lingfield Park – 8 Race All-Weather Fixture (Day Two, Winter Million Festival) – No issues currently expected.
- Wolverhampton - 7 Race All-Weather Fixture – No issues currently expected.
Sunday 22 January
- Lingfield Park – 9 Race National Hunt Fixture (Day Three, Winter Million Festival) – Current intention is to race, but with regular monitoring of weather conditions, with further updates to be provided. As per the earlier BHA update, two races scheduled to take place on Friday (The Sovereign Handicap Hurdle and Godstone Handicap Chase, a 2m Class 2 Handicap Chase worth £50,000) will be added to the 7 race fixture, which includes the Winter Million Open Hunt Flat Race, which takes place on the all-weather Polytrack surface.
Managing Director of ARC’s Racing Division, Mark Spincer, said, “It is important for us to keep customers and participants informed of the current position of upcoming horseracing fixtures, given the sudden drop in temperatures this week, so that everyone might plan accordingly.
We have had no choice but to abandon racing at Newcastle on Thursday, and at Lingfield Park on Friday, the first day of the Winter Million Festival. In both instances, due to frozen ground that, on current forecasts, will have no chance to thaw ahead of racing.
The second day of the Winter Million at Lingfield Park, featuring 8 all-weather flat races, is not currently facing any issues.
We remain hopeful that the Sunday’s third day of the Winter Million can go ahead, but are dependent on some luck with the overnight temperatures for the rest of the week, and particularly over Saturday night.
Should we be in a position to race on Sunday, Lingfield Park will host a 9 race card, with the bumper run on the Polytrack surface and the Sovereign Hurdle and Godstone Chase added to the fixture.
We will be in touch with all of our customers with tickets for fixtures at Newcastle and Lingfield on Thursday and Friday shortly. Customers with tickets to Friday at Lingfield will be eligible to attend on both Saturday and Sunday should they wish, and those with a three-day pass will also be offered a complimentary ticket for a future Lingfield Park fixture of their choice.”
