A total of €2.7 million will be added to the prize-money of Irish races in 2023 by the Irish European Breeders' Fund, an all-time record high.
Celebrating 40 years of service to Irish racing, the Irish EBF's 2023 contribution brings their overall contribution to over €57 million since its founding in 1983. Almost 500 races, both Flat and National Hunt, will carry EBF conditions this year. Over 42% of the total spend by the Irish EBF is targeted at 2-year-olds, with almost all of the maiden races, the successful Irish EBF Auction Series and the Median Sires Series with the Irish EBF Ballyhane S. a valuable showcase for median races. The Irish EBF Auction Series is worth a total of €745,000 and has 24 qualifying races and two finals to target. The €50,000 Auction Nursery Final, over six furlongs, will be run at Cork Racecourse in September and the €120,000 Irish EBF Auction Series Final is at Naas racecourse in October. Races for older horses are being bolstered, with all listed fillies races running for a minimum of €50,000 and all other listed races running for a minimum of €40,000.
About 50% of the National Hunt allocation is targeted at mares' chases, hurdle and bumper races. The popular Connolly's Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series, worth nearly €400,000 has 16 qualifying races and a €75,000 final at the Punchestown Festival which is backed up by the Irish EBF Auction Bumper Series with six races worth €15,000 each over the season.
Joe Foley, Irish EBF Chairman, said, “Prize-money is the lifeblood of our industry and fundamental to the health and future of any racing jurisdiction. The Irish EBF board are always eager to direct as much funding as possible into prize-money and are delighted to put forward this €2.7 million record spend for 2023. This level of spend is only possible thanks to the voluntary contributions made annually, by every stallion owner and manager in Ireland. The sponsorship spend encompasses all facets of the racing programme throughout the year and provide many valuable options to owners and trainers of horses of both codes.”
Suzanne Eade, CEO Horse Racing Ireland, said, “The Irish EBF has long been the largest sponsor of Irish racing and HRI is hugely appreciative of their long-standing and continued commitment which is underpinned by voluntary contributions from stallion farms all over Ireland. The Irish EBF's record race sponsorship of €2.7m million in 2023 is hugely important to the horseracing industry as it will benefit all the many recipients of prize money under both codes including owners, trainers, jockeys and stable staff.”
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