The G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot on July 25 will be worth £400,000. Minimum prize money for a Group 1 in Britain post lockdown has been £250,000.
Nick Smith, Director of Racing and Public Affairs at Ascot, said, “With the deeply appreciated support of our Official Partner and race sponsor, QIPCO, we will be running this year's King George at £400,000. In doing so, we are maintaining our policy of contributing significant executive contribution to our flagship races which began with £1.7-million being added across the Royal Ascot programme. We are paying executive contribution for all pattern and listed races, including approximately £250,000 for the King George after estimated owners' stakes.
“We have maintained entry fees at 1.25% for the King George, rather than increasing to the new 2% limit for Group 1 races. This mirrors the policy for Royal Ascot where entry fees were maintained at the 2019 percentages at all race levels. We wish to make entering as appealing as possible for owners across the spectrum at a time where, unavoidably, prize money nationally is having to be reduced significantly without paying crowds. In our case, 70% of annual income comes from racegoers' attendance and spend. All Ascot races will have previous standard entry fees in 2020.
“We are very much looking forward to QIPCO King George Diamond Weekend and Enable's hat trick bid.”
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