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The British Horse Authority’s controversial Sunday night racing initiative commenced at Wolverhampton, with both jockeys and trainers voicing their concerns.

All-weather meetings held on a Sunday evening are part of a larger plan by the British Horseracing Authority to boost the sport, with enhanced prize money on offer to encourage participants.

With eighty-four runners going to post over the course of an eight-race card, the new experiment was arguably a success on paper but it remains a controversial move by the governing body.

Trainer Charlie Fellowes had been vocal during the preceding week about his views on Sunday night racing, especially for the trainers with young families.

"We race every hour God gives us at the moment and we've never ever raced on a Sunday evening," Fellowes told the Daily Mirror.

"I have a young family. I'd love to spend a little time with them and when I am with them I'd love to not be worrying about my runners somewhere or be in a bad mood because one of them has run appallingly. I'd like to be in a good mood so we can spend some quality time together."

In an interview with Sky Sports Racing on Sunday evening, jockey Callum Shepherd, who rode two winners on the card, re-iterated similar sentiments:

"It would be nice if it wasn't a Sunday evening.

"We don't need to be here on a Sunday evening. I think in the summer, during peak season, you accept it is part and parcel and jump racing can facilitate Sunday racing throughout the winter as we do through the summer.

"Bar the festive period, I don't think there is any great need for Sunday racing and certainly not Sunday evening racing.

"We might get a couple of hundred quid extra in our pockets, but I don't think it is healthy.

"I want to be able to go watch football with my dad and things like that and if this becomes a regular thing – which it will – you just cross that brink between having absolutely no work-life balance and I don't think that is right.

"My desire to ride winners and my desire to ride for David outweighs that, and it has to as a rider with the dedication it requires, it is not an option not to come. So I will always be available. But I don't think I should be here at 8.30pm on a Sunday night."

Five further trial meetings will be held in February and March before the British Horseracing Authority make a decision on the longevity and sustainability of the project.