INTERNATIONAL FEATURE
JANUARY 26, 2015
Interview with British Champions Series Chief Executive Rod Street
by Alix Choppin for TDN
On January 15, the European Pattern Committee announced a number of
changes for 2015, several pertaining to the autumn two-year-old racing program
in Europe. One of them was to move the Middle Park S. (Eng-G1) to an earlier
date, a fortnight before the Dewhurst S. (Eng-G1), and also to revert the
running of the Dewhurst to its initial date, a week prior to British Champions
Day. The moves will revive the option for juveniles to run in both Group 1
contests, and have been welcomed by the BHA and Newmarket Racecourses.
Since the inception of the British Champions Series, the Middle Park S.
and Dewhurst S. had been run on the same day, the so-called “Dubai Future
Champions Day.” In 2014, this card was held on the eve of British Champions Day,
thus giving birth to Britain’s “Champions Weekend.” This flagship event, which
echoed such popular schemes as Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend in France and
the new Irish Champions Weekend, will effectively cease to exist after only one
year. Choppin spoke with Street about his view of these changes.
TDN: What is your opinion on the changes announced by the Pattern
Committee with regards to the Middle Park S. and Dewhurst S.?
Rod Street: It’s a positive move. There was originally a one-week gap
between Future Champions Day and British Champions Day and they were only
brought together because we had to meet fixture list commitments given to the
European Pattern Committee. We created British Champions Weekend to take
advantage of that change, but both parties were happy with the original timing.
TDN: If this is a positive move from a race planning point of view,
aren’t you worried about a potential negative impact, in terms of marketing and
media exposure, caused by the loss of a championship weekend for all age
categories?
RS: We are not worried in the slightest. British Champions Day was
created as a stand-alone event, promoting the premier races for three-year-olds
and up. We now return to a clean build-up to both events.
TDN: Will “Future Champions Day” still deserve its billing with the
loss of the Middle Park, and what are the options currently being discussed with
the British Horseracing Authority and Newmarket Racecourses to maintain this
fixture to a very high standard?
RS: This is a matter for Newmarket Racecourses, but I understand their
ultimate aim is to put together the best possible two-year-old autumn fixture
list for the racecourse, which means moving races. I would imagine that their
Future Champions Day will remain relevant and be of appropriate quality. In any
case, Newmarket has the best two-year-old program in the world. It’s the home of
future champions.
TDN: Are there other changes in the pipeline as far as the British
Champions Series are concerned?
RS: We have already come a long way in four years, doubling the prize
money on offer and receiving three race promotions from the European Pattern
Committee — now giving us four Group 1 races and one Group 2. Our objective is
to have all five races as Group 1s as soon as possible. This will underpin the
day’s status as one of the best race days in the world and the finale to the
British Flat racing season.
TDN: What is your overall assessment of the British Champions Series,
four years down the line?
RS: The British Champions Series has inspired similar initiatives in
Ireland and Australia. This reflects that, in an increasingly competitive
international racing world, promoting the best races and events is the right
strategy. We are pleased with progress so far, particularly with how British
Champions Day has become so quickly established and attracted a long-term,
valuable sponsorship with QIPCO.