About Pony Racing Authority

Pony Racing has become one of the country’s fastest growing equestrian sports and now plays a pivotal role in training and developing many talented young riders. 

How did Pony Racing in Great Britain begin? 

The British Horseracing Board (now British Horseracing Authority)  undertook a 12 month review of British Jump Racing to look at its sustainability and viability. One of the report’s findings was a need to prevent a decline in the number of jump jockeys, to encourage more young people to consider a career in the saddle and to enhance the skill and experience of British born jockeys.

Pony Racing in Ireland is long established as a training ground for jockeys, with many top Irish riders plying their trade in Pony Racing before moving to Britain to turn professional. Rachael Blackmore, a leading Irish based Jockey and winner of the Grand National started her career in pony racing in Ireland. It was widely accepted that Irish jockeys were more experienced and competent than British jockeys given the experience and skills they learned Pony Racing, giving them a strong advantage over British jockeys when starting their racing careers. Now, Pony Racing has helped reverse that trend and the pool of British jockeys is stronger than it’s ever been.

In 2004 a ‘trial’ of seven Pony Races took place and from there the sport has blossomed. The first regulated Pony Race was at Newton Abbot Racecourse with The Finals at Wincanton Racecourse.

How is the Pony Racing Authority structured and what do they do?

2007 saw the formal emergence of the Pony Racing Authority (PRA), the sport’s Governing Body with particular responsibility for integrity and safety.

The PRA governs the sport at the grass roots Point-to-Point level as well as the prestigious Racecourse Series. The PRA works closely with the Pony Club to support entry level pony racing via the Pony Club Race Days and organise pony racing training.  We also host a number of Pony Racing Taster Days to showcase and introduce the sport to any child that wishes to find out more.  

Shareholders of the PRA are the Racecourse Association, The Jockey Club, Point-to-Point Secretaries Association and the Master of Foxhounds Authority. Representatives from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and The Pony Club also sit on the PRA Board in Observer positions. The PRA is a company limited by guarantee and all money raised by the PRA is invested into Pony Racing.

PRA Regulations were initially drafted from the Rules of the Arabian Racing Organisation and since then have developed into robust regulations suitable and applicable for the sport. Regulations are reviewed and updated each year in consultation with the BHA. The basic regulations from 2004 remain unchanged.

Which Jockeys have pony raced?

The sport has provided an education for many professional and amateur jockeys. At the end of 2023, 23% of licenced Apprentice Jockeys (including the Champion Apprentice and the Jockeys in second and third for the title) as well as 45% of licenced Conditional Jockeys had taken part in pony racing. The Jump Jockeys' Championship 2023/23 was won by a Pony Racing Graduate, Harry Cobden with another Graduate, Sean Bowen close on his heels.  

These Jockeys have come from a variety of backgrounds, including those with racing backgrounds, those with a wider equestrian background and those with no links to racing or equestrianism.

Our alumni include Bridget Andrews, Gina Andrews, Harry Bannister, Tom Bellamy, Sean Bowen, James Bowen, Josh Bryan, Harry Cobden, William Cox, Hector Crouch, Harry Davies, Hollie Doyle, Rhys Flint, Bryony Frost, Jake Greenall, Billy Loughnane, Tom Marquand, Abbie McCain, Ella McCain, Lorcan Murtagh, Megan Nicholls, Lily Pinchin, Benoit de la Sayette, Stan Sheppard, Olivia Tubb and Sam Twiston-Davies. 

What are the PRA Academies?

Part of the Pony Racing Authority's work is to showcase the sport of pony racing and open up opportunities for children who might not have thought of shortening their stirrups and having a go.  

We run a number of PRA Academies around the country which offer funded, 12 session courses for children who do not have their own pony to race.  Find out more here. 

Who needs to be a PRA Member?

Children must be PRA Members to take part in PRA Races but not to take part in Taster Days, Training Days or our PRA Academy Courses.  Membership is £45 per child and is on an annual basis from January to December each year. 

For further information, please contact the PRA.