Further boost to Ebor meeting prize fund
Last Updated: 14/07/14 3:55pm
York has announced a further boost of over £100,000 to the previously announced investment in prize money for one the north’s flagship racing festivals.
Record prize money of £3.5m at the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival includes prize money to at least sixth place for all 25 races for the first time and no contest is worth less than £40,000.
The boost represents a £250,000 increase in prize money on last year.
Speaking about the latest round of prize money increases, William Derby, York chief executive and clerk of the course, said: "I am delighted that York has once again demonstrated its commitment to invest in prize money and so develop the race programme on the Knavesmire.
"I am pleased that in this prize fund boost we have been able to make a material investment to increase all races to at least £40,000 and extend prize money to sixth place, so rewarding more owners and horsemen for bringing their fabulous horses to race at York.
"The aim remains to attract the very best horses to York and to stage competitive, compelling racing action."
Tattersalls, who have sponsored the Musidora on the opening day of the Dante Festival for 29 years, have extended their support to now include the Group Three Tattersalls Acomb Stakes on the opening day of the Ebor Festival.
The prize fund for this classy seven furlong juvenile contest is set for a significant boost to £80,000 (an increase of £20,000), making it the richest Group 3 for juveniles in Britain.
The race to receive the joint biggest boost will be the Sky Bet City of York Stakes.
This Listed contest will double its prize money to £100,000 – making it the seventeenth race at York with a six figure prize fund.
Previous winners of this seven furlong contest include subsequent Group One winner Gordon Lord Byron and Yorkshire dynamo, Quito.
It will also move within the Festival programme to become a further highlight of Friday 22 August.
Commenting on the announcement, Philip Freedman, chairman of the Horsemen’s Group, said: "York deserves enormous credit for its continued and increasing investment in the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival, and it is no coincidence that nowadays the meeting invariably features as part of the programme of the sport’s equine champions."