A few enhancements and changes to the game were announced over the last few weeks. We thought we’d summarise them all into one note which might come in handy to refer to as we kick off a whole new exhilarating season of racing next week.

So here they are…


New Sales Ring

A revised Sales Ring was launched with the opening of the pre-season Yearling Sales. From 1 August all new horses bought come from this revised Sales Ring.

Changes to the ring included:
- The removal of a substantial chunk of the poor horses from each of the three Grades.
- The same number of horses removed from the database have been added back as improved horses in each of the Grades. As such we are maintaining the 100,000 horse population but improving the chances of purchasing a better horse out of the Sales Ring.
- We have addressed the issue of ‘clones’ and ensure a better distribution of good horses across the various distances and goings.


Enhanced Rated Racing Structure

In rationalising the Sales Ring and removing a large number of the poorer horses, we have narrowed the Grades to a point where the Class division is no longer practical or even possible. With effect from the new season it is necessary to reduce the number of Rated Racing levels, from 4, to 3 and in so doing bring these levels in line with the 3 grades. Horses will then be rated according to their grades, bringing the two systems in sync and therefore deploying one uniform grading system in the game.

As from 1 August, horses no longer have a Class in Rated Racing, but only a Grade and a Rating. Races being renamed accordingly:
• Rated 1 (for Grade 1 horses)
• Rated 2 (for Grade 2 horses)
• Rated 3 (for Grade 3 horses)

Yearling horses are rated on the 1st August. Older horses will be re-rated according to their grades on 1 August 2010.

The rating bands, entry fees and runs award will be as follows: If you have a Grade 1 Class B horse at midnight GMT on 31 July 2010, it will be re-rated to 108, ie. at the bottom of grade 1. All other horses will be rated at the Start rating of each grade, consistent with the current Rating rules.


Re-Introduction of 34 Jockeys to Grade 1 Racing

Following a season where G1 races attracted poor fields we have decided to re-introduce the full 34 jockeys to all G1 races. One exception will be Qualifying and Championship races which will remain with the current 17 jockey allocation. We analysed prior seasons G1 racing where the 34 jockeys were in place. We found a much more extensive spread of members entering these races resulting in larger fields and a much healthier G1 environment for all stables. We attribute this to a large degree to the perception by members that they have a chance to do better in these races. This does not mean that the top horses will not continue to excel but at least they will do so with a much larger population of horses to race against. We have to facilitate larger fields to ensure maximum enjoyment of racing by all members racing in the G1 races.


Returning Daily Training To 3/day

There is general consensus among members that the introduction of 6 training gallops last season took some degree of skill out of the game. It is generally perceived that this allowed ‘Monsters’ to make more frequent appearances in G1 races making it more difficult to compete. To further support improvements to the Sales Ring from 1 August, the daily training gallop allowance will be reduced from the current 6 to 3. An exception to this is when training a new horse for the first time where members will continue to have unlimited training gallops until their horse attains a 90% fitness level. Members have asked that another exception be applied in the case where a horse is purchased off auction or in a claiming race. We will consider this development further in the new season.


‘Cash Purchase Benefit’ in Sales Ring

Along with the revamp of the Sales ring page that was introduced early in July, a permanent ‘cash purchase benefit’ was added and made available to every member. For every 5 horses purchased with cash you get 1 free, whist for every 10 purchased with cash you get 3 additional horses free.

Whether you purchase horses using Cash or Bonus credits makes no difference on where the horses come from. The Sales Ring is indifferent to who is purchasing from it or what credits are being used when determining what horses you may possibly receive. Cash purchases simply get a benefit of extra free horses added to your basket – These free horses also come from the same Sales Ring.


Championship Series Minimum Qualifier Participation Requirement

So as to reduce the incentive to mothball top horses and to rather encourage them to race, all 3 and 4-7 year old horses need to compete in a minimum of two qualifying runs to be eligible for the lucrative end of season Championship Series & Consolation races. We want to see the best of the best competing more frequently against each other for final position in the Championship Series.

The spirit of the Championship Series is to allow the top horses on the site to compete for top honours. Consolations are going to be reserved for those Champions that deserve to finish in the finals but didn’t make it into the top 14.





We are developing a brand new type of race exclusively for the lower G1 horses – ‘Limited’ Races. These races aim to use earnings caps as a new eligibility requirement to keep out the best horses. Our objective is to encourage participation of a much larger percentage of the lower G1 horses in G1 races and encourage the monster horses to continue running in the sponsored G1 races where they belong. All in all it fosters an environment with more competitive racing across the board.


Some interesting changes and exciting seasons ahead! It may take a season or two for the collective impacts of the above to settle and for new racing strategies to be formed – Overall, these changes are no doubt for the betterment of the game. We would like to encourage members to adopt the above enhancements positively. As always we are here to listen to you and work hard in improving the game for all players.

Next on the agenda, amongst other enhancements, is for us to look at the daily race schedule and how we can improve it at every level.

May we wish all a fantastic racing season ahead!


Digiturf