Newbury to maintain record prize-money levels of £5 million for 2019

Julian Thick, Chief Executive of Newbury Racecourse commented: “We are delighted to be maintaining record prize-money levels of £5 million across Newbury’s 2019 race programme, despite the current challenges the industry is facing. Since 2013, we have increased our executive contribution by over £1 million with 2018 the first year our total prize money reached £5 million. We believe this is a reminder of our commitment to the sport and complements the substantial capital investment we have made to the entire site for horses, horsemen and racegoers in the past three years.”

One notable prizemoney adjustment will be to the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes which will be run this year at a reduced value of £100,000. Further to the announcement made by the European Pattern Committee earlier this year to raise the City of York Stakes to Group 2 status and following discussions with the BHA surrounding their intentions for York’s race to be further promoted within two years, the decision has been taken to reallocate £50,000 of the Hungerford’s total prize fund across the rest of Newbury’s race programme, given the similar profiles of both races and the close proximity in which they are run.

Key race beneficiaries include; the Group 3 Greenham Stakes, Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes, the Denford Stakes (Listed) and the Haynes Hanson and Clark Conditions Stakes, run in September.