NEWMARKET PRIZE MONEY TOPS £10MILLION FOR 2014

All nine Group 1 races receive finance boost


NEWMARKET RACECOURSES is very pleased to announce significant prize money increases that will see a grand total of more than £10million on offer for its superb 2014 season.

Other key developments include the historic ‘Home of Horseracing’ staging more Group races than anywhere else in the UK – no less than 32 are scheduled for this year.

Also, the nine Group 1 races contested over its two exceptional courses – the Rowley Mile and the July Course – will all receive finance boosts.
The overall prize money for its 39 race-days is scheduled to be £10.07 million, representing an eight per cent increase on the 2013 figure of £9.3million. Viewed in terms of a ten-year comparison, Newmarket Racecourses will this season offer 45 per cent more prize money than it did it 2004 (£6.95million).

Newmarket Racecourses’ decision to significantly invest in its prize money over the past decade is exemplified by the July Festival. Not only will this prestigious summer meeting enjoy a six per cent rise in 2014 (up to £1.64million), since 2004 the prize money for the July Festival has increased no less than 47 per cent from £1.114million.

The Guineas Festival also comes in for a cash boost. The two-day meeting, containing the year’s first two Classics, will provide prize money of £1,38million – a five per cent increase on last year’s figure of £1,31million.

Amy Starkey, regional director for the Jockey Club, East, said: “We are delighted to be able to announce such excellent news regarding our 2014 prize money. The overall increase to in excess of £10million reflects The Jockey Club’s commitment to and investment in British racing.

“This ongoing support is clearly emphasised by the ten-year prize money comparisons at Newmarket Racecourses. Despite the economic challenges that many businesses currently face, the figures underline how The Jockey Club prioritises investing in the sport of horseracing.”

Total prize money at the 15-strong Jockey Club Racecourses group is scheduled to exceed £42m for the first time in its history (subject to abandonments), including a record contribution of nearly £20m from its own resources.

A further point to note is that two of Newmarket Racecourses race-days will be worth more than £1million each, including Dubai Future Champions Friday (October 17). This glittering afternoon of racing on the Rowley Mile will, for the first time, stage three Group 1s – as a result of the addition of the Fillies’ Mile. Also, this is the first year that Dubai Future Champions Friday will form part of the exciting ‘Weekend of Champions’ initiative with QIPCO British Champions Day set to follow on October 18

Please note that this is only the second season that prize money at Newmarket Racecourses has exceeded £10million (the only other, being in 2009). Further details relating to the specific prize money figures for each of the Group 1 races will be available in early spring.