SANDOWN, KEMPTON and Epsom are planning to trial the use of metric weights and distances at their tracks during this summer.

The test run is the brainchild of Racing For Change, a lobby group who are hoping the changes could make the sport more accessible, in particular to overseas visitors and younger adults.

The group believe racing needs to broaden its appeal and reach a substantially larger section of the consumer market while retaining its current aficionados.

British racing currently uses imperial measures only and Racing For Change believes this could confuse some racegoers as the vast majority of the British and Irish population and much of the world now use metric measures exclusively.

While the traditional imperial measures of furlongs, stones and pounds will remain, Sandown, Epsom and Kempton will also offer distances in metres, and weights in kilograms.

Top jockey Frankie Dettori believes the changes could help attract a few more racegoers as London is packed with international visitors for the start of the Olympics on Friday.

He said: “This is a great idea when so many tourists will be visiting Britain for the Olympics.

“In Italy, I grew up with metrics so it’s second nature to me, as well as to my kids, but I can understand why they’re running them side-by-side since many racegoers are happier with Britain’s Imperial measures.”

Sandown will be the first to offer the metric alternatives at their meeting tonight, with metre markers added to the existing furlong poles and racecards featuring both sets of measurements.

Racing For Change chief executive Rod Street said: “Racing’s unique language is an asset and part of its heritage and appeal, but we do think that the use of both metric and imperial measures will help us to explain the sport better to our international visitors and younger adults.

“Imperial measures don’t mean a great deal to kids and tourists, so it makes sense to trial the use of metric information.

“This summer, our London racecourses are expecting a significant number of overseas visitors, as well as British families taking advantage of free entry for under-16s at most race days.”

If the dual displays prove popular with racegoers, their wider introduction will be considered in the autumn.