Stallion Studs Boost UK Prize-Money by £2m Through British EBF

The British wing of the European Breeders' Fund (EBF) has announced its contribution of more than £2 million towards prize-money in Britain for 2024. The funds are raised through contributions made annually by British stallion owners. 

Along with its backing of more than 700 races on the Flat, the British EBF will lend extra support in certain areas this year, including an injection of £325,000 for novice and maiden races for two- and three-year-olds as part of a wider project with the BHA, Levy Board, Darley, Juddmonte and Tattersalls. The High-Value Development Series of 84 races commences this Saturday with the £40,000 British Stallion Studs EBF Brocklesby S.

“The contribution from British stallion owners continues to be a vital and much appreciated source of funding for racing,” said the BHA's chief operating officer Richard Wayman. “The BHA are pleased to be working with the British EBF and two of its major donors in Darley and Juddmonte, alongside Tattersalls, in expanding the development race initiative for two-year-olds and three-year-olds this year.”

The £100,000 British EBF Two-Year-Old Finals will return for a third year, run at Goodwood and York for colts and fillies respectively.

Chester's Lily Agnes S. and Beverley's Hilary Needler and Two-Year-Old Trophy (Beverley) will each be run for £50,000 thanks to support from the stallion studs and join the list of juvenile conditions races supported by the British EBF along with Epsom's Woodcote S. and Alice Keppel at Goodwood, each of which has a prize fund of £75,000.

Furthermore, the British EBF Future Stayers' programme of sire/dam-restricted races will also return. This year it features 12 races worth between £20,000 and £40,000 for juveniles with staying pedigrees. Previous winners from this series include the Group 1 stars Stradivarius (Ire), Hukum (Ire) and Cracksman (GB), as well as recent G3 Winter Derby winner Military Order (Ire).

British EBF chairman Simon Sweeting said, “British stallion owners have made valuable and visible contributions totalling £40 million to prize-money over the last 40 years through the British EBF. Their continued support means we can contribute £1.9 million to Flat races this season. With our National Hunt activities considered, the contribution is over £2 million, directly to racing's prize-money. It's a genuine enhancement of the value of the programme, with a particular focus this year on developmental races, juvenile stayers and enhanced prize-money for Conditions races. 

“My thanks, and that of the British EBF Trustees, goes to our British stallion studs and owners. The support domestic stallions provide for racing's prize money is hugely important to the sport.” 

Sally Iggulden, CEO of Beverley Racecourse, outlined the importance of the British EBF backing of two key juvenile conditions races at the Yorkshire track. She said, “The Hilary Needler Trophy at Beverley is our flagship race, and the longest private sponsorship in the country, due to the amazing commitment and generosity of the Needler Family. To join forces with the British EBF in 2024 further adds to the credibility and importance of the race as a recognised stepping stone to Royal Ascot for two-year-old fillies. Its partner, the Two-Year-Old Trophy for colts and geldings, also benefits from British EBF support this year, and we very much look forward to seeing the best juveniles start at Beverley and progress through the ranks. We are immensely grateful to the EBF for recognising the gravity of these races and supporting independent racecourses in this way.”