Benefit blog: Jack Frost is doing the rounds, but the ROA Raceday Curtailment Scheme is here to help!

By Keely Brewer – Digital Executive

The recent cold snap has had a significant impact on racing, resulting in fixtures being abandoned, some even after racing had already started. During these challenging weather windows, racecourses face the difficult task of ensuring their meetings can proceed, however, unfortunately, sometimes a fixture may start but needs to abandon part-way through the card.

This was the case at Chepstow last Sunday (January 5), where, after two races, the racecourse team and a delegation of jockeys determined that the ground had become unsafe, leading to the abandonment of the fixture.  Following this, ARC, which operates Chepstow, provided compensation to owners whose horses had travelled to the course but were unable to run. However, racecourses are not required to offer this payment, and in situations where they do, it can sometimes fall below £250. This is where the ROA’s Raceday Curtailment Scheme, which is included with full ROA membership, can help provide some compensation.

The scheme offers a payment of £100 to ROA members who own at least 51% of a horse that is due to participate, but is unable to run in its intended race after at least the first race has been run and then subsequent races are abandoned. In these rare circumstances, the Raceday Curtailment Scheme can help offset some of the transportation costs that owners may have incurred for the horse or themselves.

Since the scheme’s launch in 2012, an average of 200 horses and their owners have received compensation annually. If a member’s horse qualifies for a payment, a member of the ROA team will get in touch, and payments will be processed quickly and automatically.

To learn more about the ROA Raceday Curtailment Scheme, please visit - Raceday Curtailment Scheme | ROA or if you'd like to discuss this or ROA membership and its benefits, please contact [email protected] and we’ll be happy to assist.

Let’s hope Jack Frost soon gives way to warmer weather, allowing us all to get back to fully enjoying the sport we love!