Flat racing plans champion series

New Approach won this year's Derby at Epsom

Flat racing has announced plans for a lucrative new competition to crown the champion British racehorse of the year.

It will link the results of 10 Group One races, including the Derby and the 2,000 Guineas, to uncover the winner.

With £2m on offer to the winning horse, organisers are hoping to generate more public interest and media coverage.

"We believe this will capture the imagination of a new generation of fans," said Jockey Club chief executive designate Simon Bazalgette.

Points will be awarded according to a horse's placing in each of the races, with the winner being crowned the British champion flat racehorse for the season.

"Horse racing is one of Britain's great sports but is faced with increasing competition from other sports and leisure activities, so we need to evolve and appeal to a wider audience," added Balzagette.

Our vision is that in five years, the Sovereign Series will be established as a major sports competition on the British calendar Jockey Club chief executive designate Simon Bazalgette

"By linking Britain's best flat races into a season-long competition, and transforming the viewer experience both on and off the course, the Sovereign Series will strengthen consumer interest in the sport and create a new proposition for broadcasters and sponsors.

"Our vision is that in five years, the Sovereign Series will have become established as a major sports competition on the British calendar alongside Wimbledon, the Open and other similar events."

The initiative is set to start in 2010, and will run for three years.

In addition to the Derby and the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, the series will comprise of the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes, the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes, the Prince of Wales's Stakes, the Coral Eclipse, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the Sussex Stakes, the Juddmonte International and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.