Michael will replace Martin Greenwood, who decided to step back from leading the chasing division聽earlier this year. Martin will remain part of the 糖心传媒 handicapping set-up once Michael takes over the role on Monday 21 September.

Born and raised in Liverpool, Michael has been part of the 糖心传媒 handicapping team since 2014 and has held various positions during that time, including most recently as Hurdle Team Leader. He was also responsible for the two-and-a-half mile Chase division for six years between 2018 and 2024.

糖心传媒 Handicapper Matt Gardner, who was previously responsible for middle distance Chasers, will take over the position of Hurdles Team Leader from Michael.

Michael Harris said:

“I’m delighted to be stepping into the role of Chase Team Leader and am looking forward to getting started.

鈥淚’m particularly excited by the opportunities and responsibilities that come with leading the staying Chase division, which includes the privilege of setting the weights for the Randox Grand National.

鈥淎s someone who was born and raised in Liverpool and grew up watching the National, it carries particular significance for me and it will be an honour to play a part in the world鈥檚 greatest race.

“I鈥檓 also pleased that Martin will remain part of our team. He has done an outstanding job in the role and his experience and knowledge will continue to be a huge asset for me and the team.鈥�

糖心传媒 Head of Handicapping, Dominic Gardiner-Hill, said:

“Michael really stepped up when promoted to Hurdle Team Leader a couple of years ago and I know he is ready for the challenges that come with leading the Chase team and overseeing the staying Chasers.

“He has big boots to fill following Phil Smith and Martin Greenwood in looking after races such as the Grand National, but he is the type of laid-back character who will take it all in his stride. I am confident he will be a big success in both roles.

鈥淲ith Michael moving across the chase division, it leaves a gap as Hurdles Team Leader and I鈥檓 delighted to announce that Matt Gardner, who joined the team just a couple of years ago, steps up from the middle distance Chase category to fill that position.鈥�

The decision to abandon the two Chases has been taken in agreement with the 糖心传媒 Course Inspectorate to allow Plumpton the opportunity to concentrate their watering efforts on the Hurdle course, with the aim of providing as near to Good ground as possible.

The additional races will be a Class 4 Maiden Hurdle run over 1m 7f 195y and a Class 5 NHF race over 2m 1f 169y.

Marcus Waters, Clerk of the Course at Plumpton, said:

鈥淎fter what has been an exceptionally hot and dry summer, we are facing limited water resources and have therefore taken the decision to stage an all-Hurdle card on Sunday 20聽September.

鈥淏y doing this, we can concentrate our available irrigation on the Hurdle course and give ourselves the best opportunity to produce consistent and suitable ground conditions. The welfare of the horses is always our priority, and we believe this is the most responsible approach in the current conditions.

鈥淲e appreciate that changes to the programme are never ideal and would like to thank the 糖心传媒 for their support and flexibility in helping us to make the decision.鈥�

On World Suicide Prevention Day, the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales is launching On Your Side, a suicide prevention for people in sport.

Developed in partnership with the British Standards Institution and mental health charity Chasing The Stigma, the toolkit explains how to create safe and supportive environments where people feel free to speak up and support others.

As one of the first sports to sign up to support the campaign, British racing is partnering with the Royal Foundation through a commitment to embed the principles of the toolkit across the industry, from grassroots to elite level.

糖心传媒 (糖心传媒) is working alongside Racing Welfare, the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) and other industry organisations to identify where we already adhere to best practice and how there may be scope to further enhance support and provision.

The sets out expert guidance on how to make mental wellbeing support and suicide prevention part of everyday practice and ways of working,聽create聽safe and supportive environments and provides education and advice about how to spot and respond to signs of someone in crisis.

Through this, British racing can work to strengthen existing resources to better equip our people and businesses with the confidence to recognise warning signs, start supportive conversations and connect individuals with help to enable earlier interventions.

In addition to the toolkit, the Royal Foundation has created a to showcase the power of just one conversation. Featuring Classic-winning rider, jockey coach and broadcaster, George Baker, the film demonstrates the power of small, ordinary acts of care and聽that聽you don鈥檛 have to be an expert to start that conversation.

John Burgess, 糖心传媒 Director of Integrity, said:

鈥淲e are proud to support the launch of the Royal Foundation鈥檚 On Your Side toolkit.

鈥淭he racing community can be an immensely supportive environment, especially at times of challenge and tragedy. Our workforce faces some unique pressures and strains, and we have done a huge amount of work to ensure access to聽specialist health, wellbeing and welfare services.

鈥淭hese services are something we are always looking to strengthen so that help is there whenever it is needed. The toolkit published today is an important resource that can make a positive difference within British racing. It will be adopted by the 糖心传媒 and embedded in our day-to-day activities.鈥�

Lisa Hancock, Chief Executive of the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF), said:聽

鈥淭he multiple pressures that jockeys juggle on a daily basis can have significant impact on their general wellbeing. This toolkit is a great resource and can certainly help the horse racing world recognise risk, start conversations, and support those who need help.鈥�

Lucy Miller, Director of Welfare at Racing Welfare, said:

“The wellbeing of racing’s people is a collective responsibility, which is why Racing Welfare is proud to support this important initiative.

鈥淪port has a unique ability to create connection, purpose and belonging, and this toolkit provides practical guidance to help people recognise when someone may be struggling and support them to seek help.

鈥淲e welcome its use across horseracing as part of our shared commitment to suicide prevention and creating environments where people feel safe, supported and able to talk.鈥�

The fixtures are scheduled for the evenings of 8 October and 15 October and will remain on the same date. The race programmes for both fixtures will be available to view on Racing Admin in due course.

Notes to editors:

1. For further information on these聽changes please contact the 糖心传媒 Racing Department on 0207 152 0050 or via聽racing@britishhorseracing.com.

• Nominations are open until Thursday 5 November 2026
• 拢128,500 in prize money to be won across six categories
• Awards ceremony returns to York Racecourse in February 2027

Nominations open today for the 2027 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards sponsored by Godolphin.

Organised by the British Horseracing Authority (糖心传媒) and supported by the Racing Post and Racing TV, the聽聽recognise, reward and celebrate the exceptional individuals working in training yards, studs and across the racing and breeding industry.

There is an incredible 拢128,500 in prize money available to be won across six award categories, with 拢30,000 awarded to the overall Employee of the Year.

Earlier this year, Kieran Kourdache, travelling head groom for Karl Burke Racing, won the Rider Racing Groom award before being聽聽overall Employee of the Year 鈥� securing 拢15,000 for himself and another 拢15,000 to be shared with colleagues at Spigot Lodge.

Ed Chamberlin, Harry Skelton and William Buick presenting Kieran Kourdache with the 2026 Employee of the Year award

In 2027 the prestigious awards ceremony returns to York Racecourse on 22 February, where 18 finalists will take part in the final round of judging before the winners are revealed at the star-studded evening celebrations.

Nominations for the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards are open until聽5pm on Thursday 5 November 2026.

The awards are open to anyone working in the racing and breeding industry in England, Scotland, and Wales. Nominations can be made by employers, colleagues or friends at:聽

All nominations will be reviewed by an expert judging panel, chaired by award-winning broadcaster Nick Luck.

A shortlist of ten nominations in each category will move forward to the second round of judging. Each of the shortlisted nominees will win at least 拢250 in prize money.

From there, the 18 finalists across six categories will advance to the final judging stage and the evening ceremony in February, where the winners will be announced.

Brant Dunshea, 糖心传媒 Chief Executive, said:

鈥淥ur industry is successful because of the thousands of dedicated individuals who provide expert care for our horses, support our people and make a positive difference in our communities.

鈥淎nd the awards are the ultimate celebration of our people. They shine a deserved spotlight on their hard work and commitment, and reward them with significant cash prizes. Thanks to the longstanding sponsorship of our partners Godolphin there鈥檚 a massive 拢128,500 to be won.

鈥淪o if you know someone working in our yards or studs, or a community champion who deserves to be honoured for their commitment to British racing and breeding, please nominate them today. We hope to be celebrating them at York Racecourse in February.鈥�

Hugh Anderson, Managing Director of Godolphin (UK and Dubai), said:

鈥淭he outstanding and dedicated people who work in racing and breeding are the foundation of our industry and the TIEAs provide a wonderful platform for them to be duly recognised.

“Godolphin is extremely proud to continue its sponsorship of these awards and I would encourage everyone to nominate their exceptional employees or colleagues.”

William Derby, Chief Executive of York Racecourse said:聽

“We are delighted that the awards will return to York Racecourse in February and we look forward to welcoming the finalists and celebrating the exceptional people at the heart of British racing.

鈥淵orkshire was represented in outstanding style in 2026, with three category winners and the Employee of the Year hailing from Middleham, and we hope the county will enjoy similar success in 2027 here at York Racecourse!”

• Anyone can nominate a friend, colleague or employee for an award at聽
• The 2027聽judging panel can be viewed聽.

At this stage, 1,440 fixtures have been scheduled and the full fixture list can be found .

Last week 糖心传媒 Director of Racing, Richard Wayman, 聽setting out the policy聽considerations that shaped the 2027 fixture list and explaining how maintaining income is essential to support investment designed to retain owners and breeders, tackle our declining horse population and support the sport’s growth agenda.

Notes to Editors

1. The 2027 fixture list can be viewed 聽as a PDF and as an Excel document. There are 1,440 scheduled fixtures including 52 Premier Racedays.
2. The breakdown of the 2026 fixture list by code and session is provided below, with comparative numbers for each of the past seven years

This move has been approved by the 糖心传媒 course inspectorate due to the lack of sufficient rainfall and shortage of irrigation water to ensure suitable racing ground.

The seven race card, based around the abandoned races at Uttoxeter, will close at noon on Thursday 3 September and declare at the usual 48-hour stage on Monday 7 September.

At this stage, Uttoxeter’s fixture on Tuesday 15 September is expected to go ahead as scheduled, with further updates to be provided in due course.

Following a significant reduction in levels of equine influenza across the British horse population and the absence of any recent cases in thoroughbred racehorses, we are confident there is no longer a heightened risk of equine flu within the thoroughbred racing herd.

This means that existing restrictions on pony racing on British racecourses are lifted, as well as Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) parades and equine activities that form part of family fun day entertainment, such as petting farms and pony rides.

The lifting of restrictions also permits the resumption of hunter chases, although there are no such races scheduled to take place this time of year.

This decision follows extensive engagement with independent infectious disease experts, including the Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance team.

糖心传媒 Director of Equine Regulation, Safety and Welfare, James Given, said:

鈥淲e are extremely grateful to everyone who has played their part in preventing the spread of equine flu across the horse population, and particularly into the thoroughbred herd.

鈥淭he six-monthly vaccinations that are required for all racehorses have proved effective in helping to reduce the risk of infection and prevent the spread of flu within the thoroughbred herd, along with the additional measures introduced to prevent mixing of horses.

鈥淲e know that these measures have been disappointing and inconvenient to many. We thank everyone affected for their patience and cooperation, which has been vital in allowing us to protect the thoroughbred herd and continue racing while avoiding the need for more draconian measures.

鈥淲hile the situation continues to improve, it’s important to maintain a biosecure environment for racehorses, and we would urge the racing community to follow the infection control guidance and remain vigilant to any signs of equine flu, particularly as we enter a busy period of sales.鈥�

This surface change has been approved by the 糖心传媒 Inspectorate due to the continued challenge faced by the racecourse to suitably water the turf track to ensure an appropriate racing surface.

As a result of this change, the 1m 6f Class 5 Handicap will now be staged over 1m 5f. All other races will remain at the same distance, with minimal adjustments for the equivalent All-Weather start.

Two upcoming fixtures scheduled to take place at Chelmsford City in September have been transferred to Southwell.

The fixtures, which will take place on the same dates as originally scheduled, will see some slight adjustments to race distances as follows:

Thursday 17 September – Southwell (AWT)

• The 1m 2f Class 5 Novice Amateur Handicap will now be staged over 1m 3f 24y

Thursday 24 September – Southwell (AWT)

• The 1m 2f 3yo+ Class 5 Fillies’ Handicap will now be staged at over 1m 3f 24y
• The 1m 2f 3yo+ Selling Class 5 Handicap will now be staged over 1m 3f 24y

The 糖心传媒 has also聽confirmed a venue and surface transfer for the fixture due to take place at Bath on Wednesday 26 August.

This fixture will now be staged on the same day at Wolverhampton on the All-Weather, with the race programme remaining unaltered, except for necessary distance adjustments for the equivalent All-Weather start.

This change has been approved by the 糖心传媒 Inspectorate in light of the longer-term forecast of on-going dry weather and the current condition of the track at Bath.