Greater clarity at the winning post as BHA introduces new winning margins

Winners in Britain can now cross the line four and a quarter, or seven and a half lengths in front after the introduction of six new official winnings distances.

The six margins have been added by the BHA and came into effect from January 1. The aims of these measures is to increase handicapping accuracy as well as bringing British racing into line with Ireland.

The six new distances

Four and a quarter lengths
Four and three quarter lengths
Six and a half lengths
Seven and a half lengths
Eight and a half lengths
Nine and a half lengths

Previously, the quarter-length distance stopped at four lengths, and half-length margins had stopped at five lengths.

The changes mean all winning distances above a length can be divided into quarters up to five lengths, and half lengths from five to ten lengths.

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