Thursday 19 February 2015 11:27, UK
Horse Racing Ireland has announced an increase in prize-money for Irish Champions Weekend which takes the total on offer over four million euro.
The top-class action on September 12-13 is highlighted by the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, which is now worth 1.1m euro, an increase of 100,000 euro.
Three races at Curragh a day later have also been raised in value.
The Derrinstown Stud Flying Five has been upgraded to a Grade Two for the first time and has doubled in value from 100,000 to 200,000 euro.
The Palmerstown House Estate Irish St Leger has increased from 300,000 euro to 350,000 euro, and the Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes also rises by 50,000 euro to 250,000 euro.
Total prize-money at the Curragh has risen by 200,000 euro to 1.9m euro.
Brian Kavanagh, HRI chief executive, said: "As we aim to build on the success of the inaugural Irish Champions Weekend, we are delighted that the total prize-money on offer at both Leopardstown and the Curragh has been increased to 4.03m euro this year.
"This is our flagship event for Flat racing in Ireland and the weekend will continue to go from strength to strength."
