A new European Breeders’ Fund (EBF) Fillies Series for 2016 will begin at Ascot onSaturday 7th May.
Introduced by the EBF, the new 20-race series will run all over the UK, with three races at Ascot and finishing with a four-race finale at Newmarket in October.
Designed to add more competition to fillies which fall below group level, the races are all handicaps for three-year-olds and above, and each has a minimum value of £20,000. They will be contested over six, eight, 10 and 12 furlongs.
“This Series is designed to create and enhance opportunities for those fillies often referred to as 'twilight' horses,” said Ruth Quinn, Director of Racing Development at the BHA.
“It is a valuable and worthwhile initiative, and one which complements the BHA’s ongoing review into the fillies’ race programme.
“While we have made great improvements to the fillies’ programme in recent years, the generous prize money provided by the EBF and TBA serves to further strengthen the fare for fillies.”
“It is excellent news, too, that several racecourses, when approached by us, have upgraded races in order to be part of this series.”
Key fixtures include races at Ascot on 7thMay, 8thJuly and 3rdSeptember, culminating at Newmarket on 1stOctober.
You can purchase tickets for the May Racing Weekend, featuring the first race in the new Fillies Series on Saturday 7th May, starting from £15here