Million Pound Bonus for Non-Euro Horses

Ascot, Goodwood and York announced a £1 million 'British Midsummer Bonus' to be paid to the connections of the winners of the Gr1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and the Gr1 Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, if the winners are trained outside of Europe, reports sportinglife.com. The two races are only a few days apart, meaning it's likely to be won by two different horses, and if the connections place in both races, a £250,000 bonus will be paid. Then, if the non-European based winners of either race go on to run in the Gr1 Juddmonte International at York, a £250,000 appearance fee will be paid to the connections, while non-European placegetters in the first two races will gain a £125,000 appearance fee from York. "We have been collectively considering how to maximise global attention on the midsummer period in Britain, when there are less major overseas events taking part than at other times of the year," said Nick Smith, Director of Racing and Public Affairs at Ascot Racecourse. "The thinking behind the Midsummer Bonus is that the opening races are, effectively, the same week, and this presents an opportunity to promote the whole week and all its international options as one entity. By linking the high-summer flagship races at Ascot, Goodwood and York and promoting them together, with bonuses, we are hoping that there is a greater incentive to travel horses to the UK for this significant spell of racing with seven Group 1s. We are offering full equine travel costs, stabling and such like within the bonus scheme, along with business class flights and hotels for connections, very much as is expected at major international meetings around the world these days." William Derby, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course at York added: "The prestige of this high-summer spell of racing, when Britain can shine with the spotlight on it, is widely acknowledged and this promotion further demonstrates the commitment of all three racecourses to showcasing our racing on the global stage. York will be paying an additional £50,000 in appearance fees for any horses travelling under this scheme, should they go to the Juddmonte International, recognising of course that milers and mile-and-a-half horses can go the 10f route. The £50,000 goes up to £150,000 should any horse be placed at Ascot or Goodwood and £250,000 if they have won."