Have horse will travel - this quarter we focus on opportunities in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Hong Kong

Article by Lissa Oliver

Hong Kong

While the celebrated Champions Day and Longines International races attract plenty of attention globally, all 31 Group races run in Hong Kong are open to overseas entries and include x12 established Group 1 contests, x7 Group 2 and x12 Group 3 races. 

Prize money for Group 1 races ranges from HK$13 million (€1.5m/£1.3m) to HK$40 million (€4.6m/£3.84m), while Group 2 races are worth HK$5.35 million (€622,000/£530,000), and Group 3 races offer HK$4.2 million (€493,000/£420,000). The Group 1 contests include prize money down to sixth place and all are open to three-year-olds and up and run on Turf at Sha Tin. 

The Triple Crown includes a bonus of €1.1m/£1m to be paid to the owner of the horse that wins all three legs of the Triple Crown. The opportunity opens with the 1600m (8f) Stewards Cup worth €1.48m/£1.2m, Sunday 19th January 2025. Free entries for international runners close 25th December and supplementary entries close 16th January 2025.

The second leg of the Triple Crown is the Hong Kong Gold Cup on Sunday 23rd February 2025 over 2000m (10f), worth €1.48m/£1.2m. Free entries close 27th January 2025 and supplementary entries close 11th February 2025.

The final leg of the Triple Crown is on Sunday 25th May 2025, the 2400m (12f) Champions & Chater Cup, with a purse of €1.48m/£1.2m. Free entries close 27th April 2025 and supplementary entries close 11th May 2025.

Another bonus available is for the winning horse of all three legs of the Hong Kong Speed Series. Sunday 19th January 2025 sees the 1200m (6f) Centenary Sprint Cup, the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series, worth €1.48m/£1.2m, with free entries closing 30th December 2024 and supplementary entries closing 13th January 2025. A bonus of €580,000/£500,000 will be paid to the owner of the horse that wins all three legs of the Hong Kong Speed Series.

Sunday 23rd February 2025 is the 1400m (7f) Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, the second leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series, carrying prize money of €1.48m/£1.2m. Free entries close 30th January 2025 and supplementary entries close 16th February 2025.

The 1200m (6f) Chairman’s Sprint Prize is the final leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series, worth €2.5m/£2.2m, run on Sunday 27th April 2025, free entries closing 16th March 2025 and supplementary entries closing 6th April 2025.

The Hong Kong feature event is the Longines Hong Kong International Races on Sunday 8th December, billed as the epitome of elegance and speed, featuring elite jockeys and the world’s best horses. As well as four Group One races on the day, racegoers can enjoy a variety show, live music, exquisite cuisine and a vibrant party atmosphere. Free entries for the major races on the day close 21st October and supplementary entry closes 18th November at €27,804/£23,690.

The four Group 1 races are the €2.78m/£2.31m Hong Kong Vase over 2400m (12f); the €3.01m/£2.51m 1200m (6f) Hong Kong Sprint; the €4.17m/£3.48m 1600m (8f) Hong Kong Mile; and the €4.63m/£3.86m 2000m (10f) Hong Kong Cup.

Sunday 27th April 2025 sees FWD Champions Day, one of Hong Kong’s most popular sports events. Featuring three prestigious Group 1 races on the day, free entries closing 16th March 2025 and supplementary entries closing 6th April 2025, it provides local racing fans with the chance to see how the city’s top horses shape up against their overseas counterparts.

The 1600m (8f) Champions Mile is worth €2.76m/£2.3m; the 2000m (10f) QEII Cup is worth €3.2m/£2.7m; and the aforementioned 1200m (6f) Chairman’s Sprint Prize is the final leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club offers shipping incentives to selected overseas horses for the seven feature Group 1 races (Longines Hong Kong Cup, Longines Hong Kong Mile, Longines Hong Kong Sprint, Longines Hong Kong Vase, FWD QEII Cup, FWD Champions Mile and Chairman’s Sprint Prize). The Quarantine Stables are located at Sha Tin Racecourse, 45 minutes from Hong Kong International Airport.

The stable blocks are temperature controlled, with rubber flooring throughout and monitored by closed circuit television. Each stable is equipped with a feed manger and tie up ring. 

The isolation stables compound includes rubberised horse walkers, sand rolls, weighing scales, wash bays, ice machines, freezers and an all-weather arena. Paper strips and shavings are available for bedding. 

The Club imports feed from Australia, China, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK and the USA, and large selections of proprietary feeds are also available. The Club has excellent stocks of Timothy Hay, Lucerne Hay and Chaffs. Importation of feed and water, subject to examination, is permitted, however the import of plant material such as hay and chaff is subject to a valid Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the exporting country. 

Connections of selected overseas horses for Hong Kong’s seven feature Group 1 races will enjoy travel and accommodation packages provided by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, two tickets each for the owner and trainer and one ticket for the jockey. Four nights hotel accommodation (room only) will be provided for a maximum of two persons per category at the Club’s selected hotel. All airport and racecourse transfers are also included.

For staff, a maximum of two persons per horse will also be provided with accommodation (one room each) at the Club’s selected hotel in Sha Tin for the normal duration of the trip. A predetermined daily allowance to cover in-house expenses such as food and beverages, transport, telephone and internet, as well as laundry, will also be provided. All airport, stabling facilities and racecourse transfers are also included.

For those visiting, the five-star Hyatt Regency at Sha Tin provides an urban resort with a luxury spa, adjacent to the University MTR Station in Sha Tin, with lush greenery only steps away from busy urban areas.

Dubai

The Dubai Racing Carnival, now in its 20th year and given a new look for last year’s season, opens in November at Meydan Racecourse. Alongside top-class racing, Meydan boasts five-star dining and live entertainment and is 15 minutes from Dubai’s central hub. The racecourse offers tailored hospitality packages at the restaurants, lounges and private suites, all with elevated views of the racing. The climate is also described as “pleasant” during the winter season.

Home of the €28.1m (£24m) Dubai World Cup meeting, Meydan is the world’s largest integrated racing facility and hosts 15 meetings throughout the season, concluding in early April with the Dubai World Cup, the highlight of Dubai’s sporting and social calendar.

There are a number of valuable opportunities all season, beginning in November with the €125,600 (£106,912) Listed Dubai Creek Mile on dirt for three-year-olds up. January is busy, with 11 black type races from 1000m (5f) up to 2810m (14f) and ranging from €125,600 (£106,912) for Listed up to €213,489 (£181,719) for Group 2s and €924,282 (£786,662) for the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge, 1900m (9f) on dirt. On turf, the Group 1 Jebel Hatta, 1800m (9f) carries a purse of €464,658 (£395,469).

The 2025 Carnival sees the introduction of The Dubai World Cup bonus scheme, which offers a total prize pool of €3.5m (£2.9m) across 10 races. Winners of these races will get automatic entry to Dubai World Cup night. 

An additional 10% bonus is awarded to horses that win both the qualifying race, and the corresponding race on Dubai World Cup night. 

The scheme has been created to encourage more owners and trainers to prepare their horses in Dubai ahead of the Dubai World Cup.

Fifteen black type races from Listed up to Group 2 are run at Meydan during February and March, again from 1000m (5f) to 2810m (14f) and with similar valuable prizes, all of which lead through to the end-of-season highlight of Dubai World Cup night.

The Group 1 Dubai World Cup itself will be run a week later than normal next year on April 5th and the feature race will be worth €10.7m (£8.9m) 

The highlights of the supporting card’s Group 1s are the 1200m (6f) Al Quoz Sprint on turf worth €1.4m (£1.2m), the 1200m (6f) Dubai Golden Shaheen on dirt worth €1.8m (£1.6m), the 1800m (9f) Dubai Turf worth €4.6m (£3.9m), and the 2410m (12f) Dubai Sheema Classic on turf worth €5.5m (£4.7m).

In 2025 the UAE Derby, worth €900k (£745k), will form the final leg of the revised Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby. The winner of the race will get an automatic spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May - subject to the horse being nominated to the U.S Triple Crown series.

Elsewhere in the UAE, the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club hosts the Listed 1600m (8f) Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup in December, and the Listed 1400m (7f) HH The President Cup, both on turf with a prize of €95,443 (£81,242) each. Jebel Ali Racecourse hosts the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint, the third leg of the Emirates Sprint Series, 1000m (5f) on dirt for a prize of €125,600 (£106,912), and the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile on dirt, €175,840 (£149,677).

Saudi Arabia

Since its inaugural running in 2020, The Saudi Cup has rapidly become a major international race and in 2025 Saudi Cup Weekend at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh will have total prize money of over €34.68m (£29.5m) on offer, including the 1800m (9f) Group 1 Saudi Cup itself worth €18.5m (£15.73m). The meeting, at the end of February, is also Riyadh’s social event of the year, offering visiting racegoers a taste of the finest style, culture and hospitality of Saudi Arabia.

The two days of top-quality racing include an International Jockeys Challenge, two Group 1 Purebred Arabian races, the €462,235 Al Tuwaiq Cup for locally-trained horses and dirt and turf races culminating in the Group 1 Saudi Cup, the world’s richest race, run on the King Abdulaziz dirt track, the final event on Saturday’s eight-race card.

Adding international flavour to the Friday card is the 2100m (10f) €462,235 (£393,255) Saudi International Handicap confined to horses trained within the IFHA-registered Part II and III racing countries, which should be of interest to the relevant European countries. (Part II nations Bahrain, India, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Panama, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, Singapore, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. Part III nations Belgium, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Hungary, Jamaica, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Poland, Qatar, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, and Trinidad & Tobago.)

With prize money down to 10th place, The Saudi Cup serves to raise the profile of racing to local communities, as well as foreign fans and professionals. The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia was formed in 1965, but the founding of The Saudi Cup and the 1800m turf track at King Abdulaziz Racecourse has seen Saudi Arabia upgraded from Part III to Part II by the IFHA and is likely to achieve Part I status in the near future.

2022 saw the first international Pattern races held as part of The Saudi Cup weekend. The 2100m (10f) Neom Turf Cup, the 1351m (7f) Turf Sprint, the 1600m (8f) Saudi Derby, the 1200m (6f) Riyadh Dirt Sprint and the 3000m (15f) Red Sea Turf Handicap were all promoted to Group 3, while the Saudi Cup became Group 1.

With more than 70 international horses, The Saudi Cup hosts more international runners than any other race meeting. Stabling, quarantine and training facilities are provided at all of the racecourses, subject to availability, and invited connections at King Abdulaziz Racecourse are provided with complimentary access to the Howden Owners & Trainers Lounge, and dining in the Al Thuraya Trackside Restaurant. 

The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia can arrange transport for delegates and guests between venues, and the racecourses have plentiful free parking with international airports close by. Riyadh Airport Marriott Hotel is a 5-star hotel five minutes from King Khalid International Airport and ten minutes from the racecourse, with a restaurant, gym and outdoor pool. The Radisson Hotel Riyadh Airport is close to the airport and 15 minutes from the racecourse, with spacious rooms, duplexes and villas, as well as restaurants and leisure facilities.

The Equine Hospital in Riyadh provides advanced care in diagnostic procedures, treatment, emergency care and hospitalisation for equine patients, open around-the-clock every day of the year for emergency and critical care cases.

Qatar

The 2023/24 racing season, running from mid-October through to the end of April, saw a rise in prize money and international runners, reflecting the commitment of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) and the high standards of Al Rayyan and Al Uqda racecourses. Work will continue to ensure that the 2024/25 season will meet expectations and continue to raise standards. Al Rayyan at Doha is the premier racecourse and home to the state-of-the-art training centre. The turf track is 1800m (9f) and the sand track 1400m (7f). 

Abdulla Al Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, says, “We organised 67 race days during the last season, including 45 on both turf and sand at Al Rayyan and the rest on both turf and sand at Al Uqda. We base the season on weather conditions and take into account the ratings of Arabians and thoroughbreds to ensure the largest possible number of horses have the opportunity to run in races, which suit their ages and abilities.

“The 2023-2024 season saw the prize money reach an unprecedented figure in QREC’s history, €22.2m (£18.9m), of which €19.8m (£16.8m) was offered by the races held at Al Rayyan and the remainder at Al Uqda. This contributed to raising the standard, enhancing the stature of the Festival in the region and attracting several runners from European and Asian countries. For the first time, the minimum prize money for a feature race was €30,442 (£25,900).”

Mid-February sees the highlight of the season, the Group 3 HH The Amir Trophy for four-year-olds and up, over 2400m (12f) at Al Rayyan, Doha, carrying a total purse of €2.3m (£2m) and worth €1.3m (£1.1m) to the winner. 

The different incentives available across Europe this summer for those in search of prize money and black type success!

Article by Lissa Oliver

In February, the European Pattern Committee (EPC) announced changes to the 2024 European programme of Flat Black-Type races. The EPC sanctioned a total of 826 Black-Type races (838 in 2023), comprising 416 Group races (418 in 2023) and 410 Listed races (420 in 2023). Five Pattern races have been downgraded in 2024, with a further 11 Listed races losing that status.

Jason Morris, Chair of the EPC, explained, “This year will see another contraction in the number of Pattern and Listed races to be staged throughout Europe, with the total number having declined from 852 races in 2022 to 826 in 2024. The European Pattern Committee continues to enforce the most stringent international quality control measures so that the racing and breeding industries can have the utmost confidence in the quality of European Black Type.”

This leaves trainers rethinking traditional routes to Black Type, but at the same time adding new avenues, some of which could lead to some interesting destinations. The EPC approved an application from Denmark to stage a new Black Type race in 2024, with the Golden Mile at Klampenborg over 1600m (8f) for three-years-olds and upwards in May being upgraded to Listed status and carrying a purse of €46,749 (£40,000). 

In Ireland, the Salsabil Stakes, a 2000m (10f) race for three-year-old fillies at Navan in April, has been upgraded from Listed to Group 3. Ireland will also stage a new Listed race for three-year-olds over 2400m (12f) at Gowran Park 27th July, the Marble City Stakes worth €46,749 (£40,000).

Flagship races in Poland and Spain

Although no new Listed race applications have been received from emerging racing nations, the EPC noted the strong first Listed edition of the Wielka Warszawska in Poland in 2023. Run over 2600m (13f) at Sluzewiec Racecourse 6th October, for three-year-olds up, it carries a prize of €111,138 (£95,092).

The €85,000 (£72,728) Gran Premio de Madrid in Spain also continues to perform well after being allocated Listed status by the EPC in 2022. It’s run at Madrid over 2500m (12.5f) 22nd June for three-year-olds up. 

These were created through the recent Flagship Race scheme by the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF) and EPC, allowing countries with no Black Type races to apply for a single Flagship race which qualifies for Black Type at a lower rating level. This provides horses with a slightly easier Black Type opportunity, by 2.2kg (5lbs). It also opens up new and often interesting destinations for owners and team.

Morocco 

Dr Paull Khan, Secretary-General of the EMHF, explains, “The quality control that is applied to European Black Type is the most stringent in the world. This is good, of course, because everyone recognises the strength of European Group and Listed races. But, on the other hand, countries with less-rich racing industries have long found it hard to establish races which attract the necessary quality of runners to qualify for Black Type. Essentially, for most race types, the average ratings of the first four finishers must be at least 100. Two years ago, the EMHF and EPC devised the Flagship Race scheme, under which countries with no Black Type races can apply for a single Flagship race to be given Black Type based on average ratings of the first four finishers being 5lbs lower than would normally be the case.  In simple terms, this means that trainers with horses up to 5lbs shy of normal Listed Race standard stand a reasonable chance of attaining black type when targeted at these races.

“There is a ripple effect which is of benefit to trainers,” Dr Khan points out. ”Other countries are looking to join the party, and in order to attract the necessary quality of entries - particularly from abroad – are ploughing money into their candidate races, and are often offering attractive travel incentives, too. Even if these races have not yet attained their Black Type status, they can still be immensely attractive propositions.”

Top of the list in this respect is Morocco’s Grand Prix de la Sorec. The 10th renewal of the Morocco International meeting will be held on the weekend of 16th and 17th November 2024 at the Casablanca-Anfa racecourse, a dirt track. This prestigious 14-race meeting plays a major role in promoting the Moroccan horseracing industry internationally and includes eight international races worth €1m  in total. Sunday is devoted to Purebred Arabians, with over €500,000 in prize money for the four Black Type races. 

Saturday is an all-thoroughbred card and of interest here is the feature €123,000 Grand Prix de la Sorec, 2400m (12f) for three-year-olds up. Entry is €600  by 31st October, free to declare. Also on the card is the €71,600 Grand Prix des Eleveurs for three-year-old fillies, over 1750m (8.75f) and the €61,600 Grand Prix des Proprietaires for three-year-old colts, over 1900m (9.5f). Casablanca-Anfa racecourse provides a children's area, entertainment and excellent facilities for visiting owners and trainers. The Cité du Cheval is the 87-hectare training centre on the outskirts of Casablanca, 15 minutes from Casablanca airport and 30 minutes from the racecourse, with 400 boxes, several training tracks, a farriery centre, two restaurants and a housing and catering area for staff.

International runners will have their flights, via the BBA, paid for, or up to €3,000 toward overland transport. Flights, hotel accommodation and all transfers are provided for two owners, the trainer and guest, and the jockey. Hospitality includes lunch at the racecourse on both days and dinner at the Gala Evening on Saturday.

As Dr Khan points out, “Another factor here is the ‘racing tourism’ element. The exotic location of these races provides an additional appeal for owners and trainers who want to soak up the fantastic experience of racing in different cultures.” 

Turkey

Turkey and its International festival on the first weekend of September at Veliefendi Racetrack, Istanbul, has for long been a popular destination, particularly for British trainers. Since Brexit, however, the issues involving a Third Country have deterred British runners, leaving the races more open for other European runners. What is instead happening is that two valuable €240,000 (£208,000) Group races have been wholly contested by locally-trained horses, the 2023 Bosphorus Cup attracting just five runners.

The International Bosphorus Cup has this year been downgraded to Group 3, but remains an attractive proposition. Run on turf over 2400m (12f), the €240,000 (£208,000) race is open to three-year-olds up. With the same prize money, the 1600m (8f) International Topkapi Trophy is another Group 3 for three-year-olds up that last year attracted no foreign runners. And the same applies to the fillies only Group 3 International Istanbul Trophy over 1600m (8f), worth €127,000 (£108,645).

Entry for the International meeting is by 2nd August, and a very generous travel subsidy is available to foreign runners, including $18,000 to horses arriving from the continents of America (North and South), Oceania, Africa and Far East countries. Up to €12,000 is available to European and UAE runners.

Sweden and Norway

Sweden’s 500-acre Bro Park has permanent stabling and training facilities, just over 30 minutes from the centre of Stockholm by car and a similar distance from Arlanda Airport. The two main international days are the Stockholm Cup day 15th September and the Stockholm Stora day 9th June, both branded as Super Sunday, during which the local 1000 and 2000 Guineas are also run. Run on turf at Bro Park, the Group 3 Stockholm Stora Pris is run over 1750m (8.75f) and worth €88,817 (£75,992), with a strong supporting card of the €29,309 (£25,000) Listed Bro Park Varsprint over 1200m (6f) and Listed Bloomers’ Vase 1600m (8f) for fillies, carrying the same value.

The Group 3 Stockholm Cup International over 2400m (12f) on turf carries prize money of €124,343 (£106,380) and the three supporting races each offer €58,619 (£50,151); the Listed Tattersalls Nickes Minneslöpning 1600m (8f) run on dirt, the Listed Bro Park Sprint Championship 1200m (6f) on turf, and the Listed Lanwades Stud Stakes 1600m (8f) on turf for fillies. Lanwades Stud also generously offers a free nomination to one of its stallions to the winner. The card also includes a 1400m (7f) two-year-old race on turf worth €36,859 (£31,534), the Svealandlopning. The other mentioned races are for three-year-olds up.

There are also interesting opportunities in Norway on Norsk Derby day 25th August at Oslo, as Director of Racing Liv Kristiansen tells us. ”Oslo offers a great range of both historic and modern hotels and restaurants and makes for a great long weekend with the Derby Day as a finale. The racecourse is just a 15-minute drive from the city centre and is home to most of the racehorses in Norway. On the day, there will be many runners from Denmark and Sweden as well.”

Kristiansen reminds us that it is prohibited to use the whip throughout all of Scandinavia, and in Norway jockeys are not allowed to carry a whip in races for three-year olds and older.

Germany

As an accompaniment to the familiar Pattern races in Germany, Deutscher Galopp Director of Racing Rüdiger Schmanns tells us, ”in general all races are open for foreign trained horses, even handicaps if the horses have a rating in the home country. We have good prize money options in handicaps on the so-called Premium Race Meetings, which are meetings on Sundays or Bank Holidays with at least a Group race on offer on that day. Handicaps of the best category are in total value of €20,000 (£17,103), the second best of €15,000 (£12,827), the third best of €10,000 (£8,551), and the lowest category of €8,000 (£6,841). At the Baden-Baden meetings there is usually one handicap of the day with higher prize money and in Bad Harzburg we have the so-called Super-Handicaps with exceptional prize money in the different categories, but they have an early closing stage at the beginning of April. Average prize money is the highest ever on offer in Germany at €14,200 (£12,143).”

France

Handicaps should also be on the radar in France, where France Galop is contributing heavily in the relaunch of the Quinté+ bet. As a result, the 13 Major Handicaps programme has been remodelled to restore appeal. Four Super Handicaps are now worth €100,000 (£85,519) and eight more have increased in value to €75,000 (£64139), with maximum runners raised to 20. The four €100,000 Super Handicaps cannot be on a Group 1 card and will be run on 7th April at ParisLongchamp 1400m (7f) four-year-olds up; 5th May ParisLongchamp 2000m (10f) four-year-olds up; 4th August Deauville 1600m (8f) three-year-olds up; and 8th September ParisLongchamp 1850m (9f) three-year-olds up.

The dates of the €75,000 Grands Handicaps, with a maximum of 18 runners, are 2nd June Chantilly 2400m (12f) four-year-olds up; 16th June Chantilly 1800m (9f) four-year-olds up; 15th August Deauville 1200m (6f) three-year-olds up; 18th August Deauville 1900m (9.5f) three-year-olds up; 5 October ParisLongchamp 1600m (8f) three-year-olds up; 5th October ParisLongchamp 2500m 12.5f) three-year-olds up; 6th October ParisLongchamp 1300m (6.5f) three-year-olds up; 6th October ParisLongchamp 2000m (10f) three-year-olds up.

Another shake-up comes in the reduction of entry fees for Group 1 races to revitalise entries, introducing a uniform entry price of 0.65% of prize value, with the exception of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Classic races. This lowers the entry fees for 15 Group 1 races, out of a total of 21. Trainers should note that entries have also been brought forward to earlier dates, now four weeks prior to the race.

Ireland

Horse Racing Ireland confirmed a record 395 fixtures for 2024, with an increase of €1.3m (£1.1m) in prize money, creating additional opportunities for horses at all levels. In addition, the final €1.4m (£1.2m) in capital schemes will be paid out for stableyard expansions (€0.3m) and racetrack and industry facility improvements (€1.1m), making it a more attractive proposal for visiting horses and team.

HRI, the Irish EBF and Gowran Park Racecourse have announced a significant boost to the three-year-old programme for middle-distance horses with a new Spring Series of median sires races, culminating in the €200,000 (£170,980) Irish Stallion Farms EBF Gowran Classic, 2000m (10f), the richest race ever held at the County Kilkenny course, on Bank Holiday Monday 3rd June. The race is designed to attract three-year-old middle-distance horses with a median price of no more than €75,000 (£64,121). The winner will receive an automatic free entry into the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on 30th June. 

The series, with total prize money of €330,000 (£282,125), will consist of six races with a minimum prize-fund of €25,000 (£21,373) per race. The Curragh, Navan and Cork will host four maiden races between them, two for fillies only, and each of these races will be restricted to runners whose sires achieved a median price of not more than €50,000 (£42,747) in 2022. 

A median price of €75,000 (£64,121) will apply to runners in The Irish Stallions Farms EBF three-year-old Spring Series Race, with a value of €30,000 (£25,647) at Roscommon on 13 May. The same median price restriction will apply to runners in the €200,000 series Finale. 

Racecourse Manager Eddie Scally says, “Gowran Park are really excited to host the inaugural €200,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Gowran Classic, the region’s richest Flat race. This race will form part of an action-packed day both on and off the track with live music and a massive family fun day. We hope the Gowran Classic will attract all the top trainers and riders from both Ireland and abroad and see for themselves the warm Kilkenny welcome.”

Irish Stallion Farms EBF already sponsor two successful series for two-year-olds, the auction and median series with 27 races in each and a combined value of nearly €850,000 (£726,712). ”We felt it important to develop a similar series for later developing middle-distance three-year-olds,” says Irish EBF Chairman Joe Foley, ”hence the Spring Series was initiated with the Gowran Classic as its centrepiece. We look forward to seeing this three-year-old series grow and develop and are delighted to support Gowran Park racecourse in particular, who are investing heavily in their facilities.”

 Curragh-based trainer Willie McCreery points out, “These races are designed to be linked to the median price of the stallion, which allows everyone to participate. It offers great opportunities for middle-distance horses that needed a bit of time to mature and gives them a big target to aim at. The prize money along with the ‘win and you’re in’ to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby is a super incentive.”

The new series consists of the 2000m (10f) €25,000 3yo Median Auction Maiden (Fillies) at the Curragh 6th April; 2000m (10f) €25,000 3yo Median Auction Maiden at Navan 9th April; the 2000m (10f) €25,000 3yo Median Auction Maiden at Navan 27th April; the 2000m (10f) €25,000 3yo Median Auction Maiden (Fillies) at Cork 10th May; the 2000m (10f) €30,000 3yo Median Auction Winners of 1 at Roscommon 30th May; and the Gowran Classic.

If tourism is the agenda, don’t forget Ireland’s only beach race meeting at Laytown, a small seaside resort just 46km (29 miles) from Dublin. The six-race card at Laytown races is held Monday 16th September 2024 with an average of €7,000 (£6,000) to the winner.

Britain

Last year saw the introduction of high value developmental races in Britain, a scheme the BHA has expanded for 2024. From 63, there are now 84 developmental races for the Flat season worth over €3.5m (£3m) in total prize money. The initiative has been made possible by British Stallion Studs (EBF), Juddmonte, Darley and Tattersalls, as well as the BHA Development Fund and is aimed at supporting the domestic breeding industry and encouraging the purchase of young talent in Britain. The races offer enhanced prize money to horses embarking on the early stages of their racing careers. 

Richard Wayman, Chief Operating Officer of the BHA, explains, “These races play a hugely important role within the race programme and yet, historically, it is an area where prize money has been behind our international competitors. It is essential that steps are taken to retain quality horses on our shores and with over 80 of these races scheduled for the coming season, this is one initiative that we believe will support this broader aim.”

The 2024 programme began with the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster on the opening day of the 2024 Turf season, one of 60 such races for two-year-olds. It comprises 32 Open Novice/Maiden races for two-year-olds, worth a minimum of €46,789 (£40,000); 29 Restricted Novice/Maiden races for two-year-olds, worth a minimum of €35,091 (£30,000); and 23 Open Novice/Maiden races for three-year-olds up, worth a minimum of €46,789 (£40,000).

“British Stallion Studs (EBF) are delighted to be a leading sponsor of the 2024 High Value Developmental Race programme, with a contribution of over €380,172 (£325,000), covering more than 30 races,” says Simon Sweeting, Chairman of British Stallion Studs (EBF). “One of the unique features of our prize money contributions is to encourage racecourses to ‘match-fund’; it is wonderful to see the model we pioneered and embedded, replicated by our fellow sponsors in these races.”

The EBF remains the leading sponsor of European racing and Kerry Murphy, European Breeders Fund CEO, points out, ”The EBF was set up over 40 years ago primarily to tackle the threat of less prize money in two-year-old maidens. With £3.5m total prize money and over 80 high value two-year-old and three-year-old races worth at least £30,000 from the end of March to October, there will be opportunities for all types. It is a great credit to all involved and, of course, all the British stallion farms that contribute to the EBF, and I hope will give owners and purchasers at the yearling sales plenty of incentives.” 

The full race list can be seen at:  

https://ebfstallions.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/2024-Development-Race-List-public.pdf

A 20-minute drive from Stansted Airport, Chelmsford City offers some tempting opportunities for runners from abroad. Not least is the Cardinal Condition Stakes on Saturday 6th April, a Class 2 race that is the last stop of the European Road to The Kentucky Derby, a “win and you’re in”. Run over a mile (1600m) and restricted to three-year-olds, the race is worth £100,000 (€116,953), with the winning horse receiving 30 points, ensuring a place at Churchill Downs. Second through to fifth place receive 12, 9, 6 and 3 points respectively.

“Last year Bold Act won for Charlie Appleby and he has since won a Grade 3 at Keeneland. The runner-up was the Archie Watson-trained Brave Emperor, who had won twice here as a two-year-old and he followed up with a Group 3 win in Germany next time out. Brave Emperor has since added three more Group wins and has just won the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup, a local Group 2, at Doha. We are hopeful of seeing the Cardinal Condition Stakes upgraded to Listed status for next year, given the strength of the race,” says Neil Graham, Chelmsford City Racing Director.

Another imminent upgrade to hope for is the currently Listed Queen Charlotte Stakes over 7f (1400m) for fillies four-year-olds and up, run on Sunday 7th July, with prize money of £100,000 (€116,953). Graham points out, “Past winners include One Thousand Guineas heroine Billesdon Brook, Group 1 winner Highfield Princess and Soft Whisper, a subsequent Group 2 winner in Meydan. It comes a month before the Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood and is good stepping stone, as Billesdon Brook showed. It is also Britain’s second-most valuable Listed race, behind only the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.”

The third of Chelmsford City’s feature races is the £80,000 (€93,595) Listed Chelmer Fillies Stakes over 6f (1200m) for three-year-old fillies, run Thursday 2nd May. “It’s a good option for the non-stayers and it’s a race that builds on quality year on year. Last year it was won by George Boughey’s Believing, who won a Group 3 at Chantilly on her next start,” says Graham.

“We work hard on promoting our feature races, which includes ensuring a high level of prize money, and we work closely with Adrian Beaumont at the International Racing Bureau to attract foreign runners. We look to offer travel incentives to runners from abroad and we consistently offer Class 6 prize money of £7,650 (€8,949) and £9,650 (€11,288) for Class 5 races, considerably more than any other All-Weather track in Britain. 

“We have 125 boxes built to the highest standard located in a quiet and secure yard, with ample room for parking and a fantastic team on hand. Paper or shavings are available.” 

“We are in the process of developing a Turf track for 2025 to open up further opportunities,” adds Graham, “and a month ago we were voted one of the Top 10 racecourses in Britain, which is a nice accolade to receive and a reflection of the excellent customer experience we offer.”

Overlooking the parade ring, the exclusive Owners and Trainers Bar provides a complimentary welcome drink and light refreshments. An additional facility for Owners and Trainers adjacent to the parade ring has a fully accessible glass-walled marquee and lawn, and there is also a dedicated viewing area in the main Grandstand, fully wheelchair accessible, for owners with runners on the day.

If it’s culture and tourism of most interest, a day at Ascot is always a highlight. This season, Ascot’s total prize money has risen to €20.4m (£17.5m) including Royal Ascot at €11.6m (£10m), with no Royal meeting race run for less than €128,688 (£110,000). Entry for Royal Ascot Group 1s is 30th April and for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes 4th June.

Conditions for the Chesham Stakes (7f 2yo’s), traditionally run on the last day of the fixture, have been altered for 2024 - with horses no longer eligible to qualify via their dam’s performance. The race will return to a stallion only qualification as the race was prior to 2019 (sire must have won over 10f+).

Hannah Parlett, Owners and Trainers Manager, tells us, ”We have received an ROA Gold Standard again for our outstanding owners’ and trainers’ facilities here at Ascot, which include dining rooms overlooking the pre-parade ring in addition to a dedicated bar in the same area, along with a superb track facing facility. There are also two dedicated viewing areas.”  

Another ROA Gold Standard winner is Newbury, recognising Newbury’s continued efforts to enhance the on-course experience for owners. The OLBG Owners Club is close to the pre-parade ring beside the owners and trainers entrance. It is exclusively reserved for owners, with a private terrace. 

*Euro/Sterling rates Xe.com 07/03/2024

Have horse will travel - incentives to race in 2023

Article by Lissa Oliver

Fitness is one thing, but placing horses in suitable races to provide the best opportunity for them is quite possibly the trickiest part of a trainer’s role. It can be hard enough to search our own racing calendar for suitable races, and yet, delving further into international calendars could well pay dividends, if not in prize money then in adding valuable black type. Despite problems with travel, the racing world grows ever smaller, and it can certainly pay to shop around and look further afield. Many racecourses will offer travel incentives to encourage international participation, and the VIP experience for visiting owners will provide a lasting memory. 

France

Close to home and a regular destination for most European trainers, prize money in France rose to €278 million last year, up on 2021 by €30 million (+12%) and on 2019 by €20 million (7.75%). The 2023 France Galop budget includes a €10 million increase in prize money, with an objective to stimulate the number of young horses in training in France. 

As a result, 19 races at Parisian racecourses will see their total prize money raised to €50,000, paid out to the first seven finishers. The winner will earn €25,000, increased by 80% for two-year-olds if the winner is eligible for the owner's premium. The total sum of earnings to the winner could be €45,000. The selected 19 races take place throughout the year and include various distances. France Galop describes them as the most sought-after and competitive events for unraced horses in the French programme, with a consistent track record of producing a number of Group horses.

In the French provinces, two races for unraced horses have been selected to be included in this scheme. They are the Prix du Four à Chaux and the Prix Didier Vezia, which will be run in September at Bordeaux. Each race will offer a total prize money of €35,000; and the winner will earn €31,500 if eligible for the owner's premium. 

The increase in prize money has also been spread throughout maiden races, and races for unraced horses, across all of France. 

The new Arqana Series is also of interest to those racing in France - the sales company offering a series of races worth €1.2m (£1.06m), open only to the yearlings and foals offered at Arqana Sales in 2022 and the two-year-olds offered at the forthcoming Arqana May Breeze Up. The Arqana Series will consist of five races, for two-year-olds and three-year-olds (the latter run in 2024) on a Thursday evening during the prestigious Deauville meeting and on the Saturday of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend. Each race of the Arqana Series will reward both owners and vendors.

The juvenile races at Deauville will be run over 1400m (7f) for unraced horses and 1200m (6f) conditions, with a 2000m (10f) race in 2024 for three-year-olds. At ParisLongchamp, the two-year-old race will be a conditions race over 1600m (8f).

Of course, all races in France already carry a lucrative system of owners’ premiums on top of prize money. Two-year-olds and three-year-olds win an additional 80%, four and five-year-olds win an additional 55%, and six-year-olds and up receive an additional 45%. An additional 35% is paid to winners of Gp.1 races, whatever their age.

Germany

Deutsches Derby

Germany is still not yet back to the level of pre-Covid 2019, but significantly more prize money and bonuses were paid out in 2022 than in 2021 [€12.39m (£10.95m)], which will rise to €13m (£11.47m) in 2023. An increase of €2.15m (£1.90m) was recorded in prize money, and the average race value is higher than in previous years at €12,039/£10,651. The Deutsches Derby 2023 will be worth €650,000/£574,967, the Preis der Diana €500,000/£442,290, and the Grosser Preis von Baden worth €400,000/£ 353,985.

At smaller German tracks, the Harzburg meeting, 22–30 July, has significantly increased prize money for 2023, and the showcase handicaps carry €17,500/£15,475. The highlight of the meeting is the BBAG Auction Race worth €37,000/£32,683. "We want to support basic racing in particular," explains Racing Club President Stephan Ahrens, "because the costs of keeping horses have risen enormously. That is why we have increased the race values by up to 25%.” 

Scandinavia

Further afield for some, the full potential of Scandinavia has yet to be tapped, particularly the prize money on offer at Bro Park in Sweden. Bro Park covers 500 acres and has permanent stabling and training facilities, able to accommodate a further 100 horses on race days. The facilities provide the best possible environment for horses and those working with them. It is just over 30 minutes from the centre of Stockholm by car and a similar distance from Arlanda Airport.

Bro Park

Foreign raiders might be tempted by Sweden’s major race, the 2400m (12f) Gr3 Stockholm Cup for three-year-olds and up, at Bro Park on Sunday, 17 September—worth €125,825/£111,103. Earlier, on 11 June at Bro Park is the Gp.3 Stockholm Stora Pris, 1750m (8 1/2f) for three-year-olds and up— worth €89,882/£79,357. The Stockholm Cup card includes Sweden's most important two-year-old race, the 1400m (7f) Appel Au Maitre Svealandlöpning—worth €23,108/£20,424—and won by British trainer Archie Watson last year, who completed a double on the day.

On dirt, for three-year-olds and up, Jägersro hosts the 1750m (8 1/2f) Listed Pramms Memorial—worth €89,882/£79,357—21 May; the 2400m (12f) Svensk Derby—worth €223,869/£197,629,—16 July; and the €71,925/£63,509 Zawawi Cup over 1200m (6f), 16 July. Both Bro Park and Jägersro offer plenty of other opportunities at distances of 1200m (6f) up to 2400m (12f) with values ranging from €26,971/£23,809 up to €59,339/£52,386. 

In Norway, the 2400m (12f) Norsk Derby at Ovrevoll 20 August has a total value of €108,662/£96,067; and the 2400m (12f) Gp.3 Oslo Cup 15 June is worth €23,721/£20,973 to the winner. On 21 August, the Gp.3 Marit Sveaas Minnelop is run at Ovrevoll over 1800m (9f), carrying a first prize of €66,406/£58,724.

Let’s not forget Denmark, where the Gp.3 Scandinavian Open Championship for three-year-olds and up, over 2400m (12f) at Klampenborg on 27 May, is worth €57,545/£50,903, and a first prize of €31,967/£28,280. 

Spain

While there may not be high levels of prize money to chase on a regular basis in Spain, it is worth noting the major prizes in the Spanish calendar. The Listed Gran Premio de Madrid over 2500m (12 1/2f) at the end of June, for three-year-olds and up, is the major summer highlight, worth €68,000/£60,068 (€40,000/£35,330 to the winner; €16,000/£14,132 to the second; €8,000/£7,065 to the third; and €4,000/£3,532 to the fourth). 

In 2023, it will be run on Saturday, 24 June and is supported on the card by the Premio Baldoria for three-year-olds and older fillies and mares: over 1600m (8f), worth €15,000/£13,247 to the winner; €6,000/£5,299 to the second; €3,000/£2,649 to the third; and €1,500/£1,324 to the fourth.

August at San Sebastián sees the 1500m (7 1/2f) Premio Santander Cup (Criterium International) for two-year-olds, with prize money of €40,800/£36,018. The €59,500/£52,532 Gran Premio Copa De Oro De San Sebastián, over 2400m for three-year-olds and up, is the meeting highlight, worth €35,000/£30,900 to the winner; in addition to an impressive gold cup, €14,000/£12,360 goes to the second, €7,000/£6,180 to the third and €3,500/£3,090 to the fourth. On the supporting card is the Gran Premio Turismo Gobierno Vasco, 1600m (8f) for three-year-olds and up with a total prize of €40,800/£36,018. 

On Sunday, 15 October, the highlight of the Spanish season will be Champions Day, with a card that includes the Gran Premio Memorial Duque de Toledo over 2400m (12f) for three-year-olds and up, with a value of €68,000/£60,068 (€40,000/£35,330 to the winner, €16,000/£14,132 to the second, €8,000/£7,065 to the third and €4,000/£3,532 to the fourth). Also run on the day is the Gran Premio Ruban over 1200m (6f) worth €40,800/£36,018, with the winner taking home €24,000/£21,191, down to €2,400/£2,119 for fourth. A strong supporting card boasts lucrative added premiums of €5,000 for Spanish-breds.

Belgium

There are also opportunities for an average rated horse closer to home for some, in Belgium. As in Spain, the prize money might not be eye-catching, but neither is the competitiveness in comparison to similar races at home. The showpiece is the Prix Prince Rose, a National Listed Race over 2100m (10 1/2f) run at Ostend on Monday, 7 August with total prize money of €12,800/£11,304, with €8,000/£7,065 to the winner. The Prix Prince Rose is open to three-year-olds and older who have never been placed in the first five of a Pattern race. 
Ostend also hosts three interesting conditions races in July and August: the Miler Cup, 1600m (8f); the Prijs Half Oogst and BFG Galop, 1800m (9f); and the Prijs BFG and Nymphenburger, 2200m (11f)—each with a total prize money of €8,000/£7,065, with €5,000/£4,416 for the winner. They are for four-year-olds and older without a handicap value or a value equal or lower than 30kg (66 lbs). Penalties for prize money received for wins and places since 1 July 2023 are 1kg per €1,000. There is also the UAE Sprint Cup Handicap over 1000m (5f) in August for four-year-olds and older with a handicap value equal or lower than 30kg (66 lbs). See the complete list of races and conditions here: www.bgalopf.be/Meetings.htm

Britain

In Britain, the BHA, Darley and Juddmonte have come together to sponsor a high-value developmental races series of 60 races, also supported in funding by host racecourses, offering increased prize money to horses at the start of their career. As with the French developmental programme, the hope is that they will be retained to race in Britain going forward. The BHA hopes to expand on the idea of increasing the values of Flat maidens and novice races in 2024 and long-term. 

There will be 20 two-year-old restricted maiden and novice races worth €33,975/£30,000, supported by Juddmonte; 21 two-year-old open maiden and novice races worth €33,975/£30,000, supported by the BHA Development Fund; and 22 three-year-old and up open maiden and novice races worth €33,975–€56,626 (£30,000–£50,000), supported by Darley and the BHA Development Fund. The €56,626/£50,000 races will be run over longer distances to support middle-distance and staying horses.

Elsewhere in Britain, Newbury, having been infamously boycotted by trainers for one of its flat races last year, will see a 16% prize money increase this year, taking overall levels at the track to just over €6.79m/£6m. Newbury will host six novice and maiden races during the Flat season with prize money of €33,975 up to €56,626 (£30,000–£50,000).

The Racing League also returns for 2023, in which seven teams compete in 42 races over six meetings for over €2.2m/£2m prize money. The meetings for 2023 are Yarmouth 27 July, Chepstow 10 August, Windsor 17 August, Newcastle 31 August, Wolverhampton 7 September and Southwell 13 September. All races are handicaps with a range of ratings bands and distances, with normal BHA distribution for race prize money.

As with Arqana, British racing is boosted by the sponsorship of sales company Tattersalls, targeting yearlings purchased at the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale, who will be eligible for the 1200m (6f) €112,826/£100,000 Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes run at Newmarket 26 August, as well as the 1200m (6f) €169,242/£150,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes, Newmarket 5 October.

Charlie Appleby-trained Regal Honour broke his maiden in the 2022 Stephen Rowley Remembered Novice Stakes at Newmarket to collect the 312th £20,000 Tattersalls October Book 1 Bonus.

The Goffs UK Harry Beeby Premier Yearling Stakes, 1200m (6f) on 24 August at York carries a guaranteed minimum value of €394,092/£350,000, for two-years-olds sold at the 2022 Doncaster Premier Yearling Sale.

Tattersalls also offer the €22,684/£20,000 Tattersalls October Book 1 Bonus Scheme for 2023. Participating owners will receive a €22,684/£20,000 bonus if their 2022 October Book 1 purchase wins a Class 2, 3 or 4 two-year-old maiden or novice race in Britain between 1 April and 11 November 2023, or any 'Open' two-year-old maiden run in Ireland between 25 March and 5 November 2023. The cost to enter the €22,684/£20,000 Tattersalls October ‘Book 1 Bonus’ Scheme is €1,928/£1,700, and there are over 300 qualifying British and Irish two-year-old maiden and novice races. All yearlings sold, bought in or failing to meet their reserve at Book 1 of the 2022 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale are eligible.

Ireland 

Tattersalls are also major sponsors in Ireland, with the Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes of €300,000/£265,889, worth €150,000/£132,942 to the winner and prize money of at least €5,000/£4,431 down to 10th. Over 1200m (6f) at the Curragh, it is of course limited to those yearlings sold at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale and the Tattersalls Ireland Sapphire Sale in November 2022.

Tattersalls also continues to support the first two Irish Classics and Gp.1 Tattersalls Gold, as well as enhanced owners’ and trainers’ facilities at the Curragh. The Irish 1000 Guineas and Irish 2000 Guineas will each have prize money of €500,000/£443,081, while the Tattersalls Gold Cup will increase in value to €450,000/£398,754.

Goffs also continue to be major sponsors in Ireland, supporting premier National Hunt and Flat races. The Goffs Sportsman Challenge Day at Naas, 14 September 2023, will be a mid-week all juvenile card featuring the 1200m (6f) €100,000/£88,653 Goffs Sportsman’s Challenge, a two-year-old race exclusive to yearlings purchased at the Goffs Sportsman’s Sale. Prize money also goes to the first 10 finishers.

Europe’s richest two-year-old race, the 1400m (7f) Goffs Million, run at the Curragh 23 September 2023, is for graduates of the Goffs Orby Sale (2022)  and is worth €500,000/£443,081 to the winner, down to €10,000/£8,869 for 10th.

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) saw a number of restorations to prize money levels last year and an increase in funding for the IRE Incentive Scheme for breeders, which grew from €1.1m (£0.97m) paid out in 2021 as vouchers to be spent on Irish-bred horses at Irish sales, to €1.3m (£1.14m) last year. It will again provide €1.3m (£1.14m) in vouchers for 2023.

HRI’s commitment to ensuring the quality of racing is also extended to grassroots level, with a targeted increase of €1.7m (£1.5m) to prize money levels, bringing 2023 to €68.6m (+2.5%) (£60.58m).

“Prize money is a key enabler in building and maintaining the number of quality horses in training in Ireland,” says Suzanne Eade, chief executive of HRI. “Approximately 70% of horses competing [in Ireland] receive some prize money, so it is important that we prioritise its growth…in order to sustain the significant rural jobs created by the industry.” 

European Breeders’ Fund

Throughout Europe, the European Breeders Fund (EBF), with national representation in Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, continues to be one of the largest sponsors of races. Only the progeny of EBF registered stallions and horses nominated to the EBF can enter these races, but of course they are free to run in any EBF race throughout Europe.

The European Breeders’ Fund celebrates its 40 th year of operation in 2023 and in that time has contributed over €130m to prize money throughout Europe. The emphasis is on the two-year-old programme and fillies races, and there are valuable opportunities to be found. The EBF regularly reviews where the funds are best directed and is a vital support to both racing and bloodstock industries.

Highlights of the EBF support in 2023:

Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes €200,000 minimum at Naas, August

British EBF 2yo series £100,000 finals at Goodwood and York, September and October

Criterium FEE €130,000 Deauville, August

Italy is recovering from difficult times and this season there will be four EBF-sponsored races with an added €2,000/£1,766 to the winner if EBF qualified.

In France, the EBF (FEE) will pay out over €1m into prize money, with over €200,000 in premiums for fillies Listed Races, and over €500,000 for two and three-year-old maidens, debutants and conditions races in both Paris and the regions.

The British EBF will in 2023 invest around €2.27m (£2m) for both Flat and National Hunt and the Irish EBF current investment has increased from €2.6m (£2.25m) to €2.7m (£2.38m), making Irish Stallion Farms EBF the largest sponsor of racing in Ireland. This year all Listed Fillies races in Ireland will be sponsored by Irish EBF and will run for a minimum of €50,000/£44,000 and all other Listed races will run for a minimum of €40,000/£35,000. Highlights include the 26-race Median Sires Series, each worth a minimum €25,000/£22,000, for horses by a sire with a median fee of €75,000/£66,045 or less. The €200,000/£177,506 Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes has the same conditions and is the showcase, run over 1000m (5f) at Naas 7 August. The 24-race Irish EBF Auction Series for two-year-olds worth a minimum €20,000/£17,750 each has two finals, worth €120,000/£10,5672. Horses must have been bought at auction for €72,000/£63,403 or less.

*Euros converted to sterling at XE rate 03/03/2023