Following last week's announcement of record prize-money across the Jockey Club's portfolio of racecourses, Newbury has followed suit by increasing its prize-money for 2024 to £7 million, which is also a record figure. The 13% increase in purses will be spread across 31 fixtures, 11 of which are denoted as 'premier' meetings and the the other 20 as 'core' fixtures.
The G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. will this year be run for £400,000, up from £350,000, and again on a card which is one of the World Pool meetings in Britain. Also receiving as boost is the G3 Geoffrey Freer S., which is now worth £90,000, and the G2 Hungerford S., to £125,000, while the G3 Dubai International World Trophy and G2 Mill Reef S. receive prize-money boosts of £15,000 and £10,000 respectively, to £85,000 and £100,000. Furthermore, all Class 5 handicaps in Flat core fixtures are guaranteed to be run for a minimum of £11,000, up from £8,650 in 2023.
“We have been able to make two successive years of significant advances in our prize-money mainly due to our new media arrangements with Sky Sports Racing and our board are pleased to be able to do so at a time when the industry really needs such an investment,” said Julian Thick, chief executive of Newbury Racecourse.
“It is well known there are significant headwinds facing racecourses and further prize-money increases in years to come will be very much dependant on Newbury being able to navigate these and create increased commercial returns through other trading activities such as growing attendances, that can then be shared with our industry partners. Once again, my thanks must go to all our sponsors for their continued support and we very much look forward to the season ahead and welcoming horses, connections and racegoers back to Newbury to enjoy top-class racing action.”
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