Get ready to cast your Performance of the Month vote

Michael Owen with his racehorse trainer, Tom Dascombe, and jockey Kieren Fallon before Brown Panther ran second in the 2011 Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

New for 2012 will be a public vote for the Performance of the Month in a QIPCO British Champions Series race, leading to an end of season vote for Horse of the Series. Voting will take place here on the Series website, with the first one in early June.

An expert panel has been chosen to provide their shortlist of performances from which you will be offered the opportunity to vote:

Michael Owen, the Manchester United and former England striker who owns and breeds racehorses including the 2011 Ladbrokes St Leger runner-up, Brown Panther.

Alex Hammond, Sky Sports News presenter and racing correspondent.

Cornelius Lysaght, BBC Radio’s acclaimed racing correspondent.

Nick Luck, Channel 4 Racing and Racing UK presenter who has been voted Broadcaster of the Year four times in the last five years by the Horserace Writers’ and Photographers’ Association.

Lee Mottershead, Racing Post journalist and Horserace Writers’ and Photographers’ Association Journalist of the Year in 2011.

Rather than following calendar months, the voting will be for clusters of races which mirrors the mini-series in the new QIPCO British Champions Series fantasy game:

• QIPCO 2000 Guineas (5 May) to Investec Derby (2 June) – 8 races

• Royal Ascot (19-23 June) – 7 races

• Coral-Eclipse Stakes (7 July) to Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes (4 August) – 7 races

• Juddmonte International (22 August) to Nayef Joel Stakes (28 September) – 8 races

• QIPCO British Champions Day (20 October) – 5 races

Following QIPCO British Champions Day, the panel will not only create a shortlist of candidates for the outstanding performance on QIPCO British Champions Day, but they will also draw up a list of contenders for Horse of the Series for you to vote on.

Everyone who votes will automatically enter a free prize draw each month to win tickets to QIPCO British Champions Series races later in the season or, in the case of voting following QIPCO British Champions Day, for racedays in 2013.

“We see this as a great way to engage the racing public in the Series and I’m sure the voting will generate plenty of debate,” said British Champions Series Chief Executive, Rod Street.

“I am very grateful to the panel for getting involved and I hope we see lots of people casting votes over the next six months.”