Racing League founders insist 'diverse' participants weren't cherry-picked

The creators of the contentious new £1.8 million Racing League, which begins at Newcastle on Thursday, have insisted they “didn’t cherry-pick” the trainers and jockeys who are participating and that efforts were made to engage and encourage as many people as possible to take part.

A total of 42 trainers and 42 jockeys were originally engaged to take part in the 12 teams, but a number of replacement riders, such as Ella McCain and Andrew Mullen, have been drafted in for Newcastle with the likes of Frankie Dettori, Oisin Murphy, Hollie Doyle and Paul Hanagan not available due to riding commitments elsewhere.

Additionally, one race at the first fixture, the 7.55pm, drew a less-than-maximum field with 11 horses, instead of 12, set to go to post.