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Order of Merit
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What is the Order of Merit?Following the Jump Racing Review, the British Horseracing Board, together with leading racecourses, is establishing a new initiative, commencing in the 2004/2005 winter season - the Order of Merit.
The Order of Merit is designed to support the best races over hurdles and fences during the winter season.
It aims to encourage the top horses to run in the top races, possibly more often, and raise the level of competition within the Grade 1,2 and 3 races to enhance and clarify its prestige.
How does the Order of Merit work?
The Order of Merit is a points based system covering all Grade 1,2 and 3 races run between October and April inclusive. Points are awarded to horses based on their finishing position, with the system designed to reflect the grade of race.
Horses will earn points for their performances, using the following format:
| Finishing position | Grade 1 races | Grade 2 races | Grade 3 races |
| 1st | 20 | 15 | 10 |
| 2nd | 16 | 12 | 8 |
| 3rd | 12 | 10 | 6 |
| 4th | 10 | 8 | 5 |
| 5th | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| 6th | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| 7th | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| 8th | 2 | 2 | 1 |
What prizes are available?
The overall prize fund for the Order of Merit is £300,000 and this will be divided up in the following way:
Overall Winner: £200,000
Top Chaser: £50,000
Top Hurdler: £50,000
75% of each prize will go to the owner(s) of the horse, of which 20% will be given in the form of vouchers for the purpose of purchasing bloodstock at British sales houses.
The remaining 25% of each prize will go to the stable team as a cash prize. This will be split as 12.5% to the trainer and 12.5% to the stable staff.
It is likely that the Overall Winner will be either the Top Chaser or Top Hurdler taking their total prize to £250,000. Prizes will be presented at the BHB Jump Racing Awards ceremony in early May 2005.
What about Novices?
In addition to the Order of Merit, a series open only to Novices will run during the winter season. The Novices' Series will feature all Grade 1 and Grade 2 novice hurdles and chases.
This is intended to act as a type of “junior league' and will in effect be a mirror image of the main Order of Merit. The top novice in the series will be recognised at the official awards ceremony, but will not receive financial reward for this initial season.
The Order of Merit races.
The Order of Merit encompasses all Grade 1,2 and 3 races. The official start will be on October 24 with the totesport Wigan Steeple Chase at Aintree. The concluding race will be the betfred Gold Cup at Sandown Park on April 23.
