Racecourse Series
The Racecourse Series is our top level of Pony Racing and often a stepping stone for future professional Jockeys.
Taking place on a racecourse before or after professional racing, two races are staged each time with ponies and riders having qualified to compete.
Fast, furious and competitive, Racecourse Series Pony Races can easily be mistaken for being “the real thing.” They normally take place between April and October with points accumulated for the finals, the pinnacle of the Pony Racing season.
The whole experience mirrors professional racing to give those involved an insight and understanding as to how the professional sport operates. The PRA steward and BHA Jockey Coach oversee the pony races on the day alongside the BHA Starter, Judge and Clerk of the Scales.
The Racecourse Series is the showcase for the sport.
Each race has a Best Turned Out and the Racecourse Series has a Riders’ Championship and Leading Pony Awards.
In addition, we have the Rose Bengal Scholarship Awards. These are awarded to the rider in each category who the PRA Steward and BHA Jockey Coach believe to have improved the most throughout the series.
JMB MEASUREMENTS - PLEASE NOTE JMB CERTIFICATES ARE NOW ROLLING AND YOU MAY REMEASURE FOR THE NEW SEASON NO EARLIER THAN 28DAYS BEFORE THE DATE YOUR PONIES JMB CERTIFICATE EXPIRES.
The Racecourse Series Handicap System
All ponies participating in the Racecourse Series will be Graded. This grading will be based on previous Racecourse Series form (including the winter series) and will take into account Point-to-Point Pony racing form but will not rely exclusively on this.
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2026 Grade system
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138cm & under
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148cm & under
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Grade
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Weight
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Grade
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Weight
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A*+3 pen
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9st 7lbs
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A*+3 pen
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10st 12lbs
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A*+2 pen
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9st 4lbs
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A*+2 pen
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10st 8lbs
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A*+1 pen
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9st 1lbs
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A*+1 pen
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10st 4lbs
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A*
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8st 12lbs
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A*
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10st
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A
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8st 8lbs
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A
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9st 9lbs
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B
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8st 4lbs
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B
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9st 4lbs
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C
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8st
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C
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8st 13lbs
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D
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7st 10lbs
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D
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8st 8lbs
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E
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7st 6lbs
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E
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8st 3lbs
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F
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7st 2lbs
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F
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8st
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For wins after A* +3 penalities in both the 138 & 148cm & under, an additional 1lbs will be carried for each win.
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First season ponies will start the season in Grade A, unless othwise stated. The PRA will revisit the grading of ponies during the season at their discretion.
See below for Current Pony Gradings.
Any owner wishing to challenge their pony’s grading must do so in writing to the PRA Chief Executive by emailing lucinda@ponyracingauthority.co.uk - This will then be reviewed by the PRA’s Chief Handicapper, Phil Smith, and the PRA Board.
The reason for the handicap system is to give all ponies and riders a fairer chance and therefore make pony races more competitive, improving participation and thereby the spectacle.
FOR THE CURRENT 2026 PONY GRADES PLEASE SEE & CLICK HERE BELOW;
