- Programme of more than 80 races worth over 拢3m to begin with Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster next month
- Initiative made possible by British Stallion Studs (EBF), Juddmonte, Darley and Tattersalls as well as the BHA Development Fund
- Races aimed at supporting domestic breeding industry and encouraging the purchasing of young talent in Britain
海角大神 (BHA) has announced the programming of more than 80 High Value Developmental Races for the 2024 Flat season worth over 拢3 million in total prize money.
This initiative has been made possible by British Stallions Studs (EBF), Juddmonte, Darley and Tattersalls combining to provide financial support for an essential part of the race programme, with the races involved also being supported by the BHA Development Fund.
The races will offer enhanced prize money to horses embarking on the early stages of their racing careers, with the aim of supporting the domestic breeding industry and encouraging the purchase and racing of young talent in Britain.
This year鈥檚 programme follows on from a series of 63 such races staged in 2023 and will begin with the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster on the opening day of the 2024 Turf season, one of 60 such races for two-year-olds.
A total of 84 High Value Development Races will be staged in Britain in 2024, across a range of racecourses, with the programme made up as follows:
- 32聽Open Novice/Maiden races for two-year-olds, worth a minimum of 拢40,000;
- 29 Restricted Novice/Maiden races for two-year-olds, worth a minimum of 拢30,000;
- 23 Open Novice/Maiden races for three-year-olds plus, worth a minimum of 拢40,000.
Richard Wayman, Chief Operating Officer of the BHA, said: 鈥淲e are delighted to expand the programme of High Value Developmental Races for 2024. 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.
鈥淚t is to the great credit of British Stallions Studs (EBF), Juddmonte, Darley and Tattersalls that they have all come together with a common purpose to support this plan, concentrating attention on such a vital sector and delivering increased returns across the course of the Flat season. I am extremely grateful for their support in this project, along with the many racecourses involved and the the Horserace Betting Levy Board, and am confident that these races will be well supported by our owners and trainers.鈥�
Simon Sweeting, Chairman of British Stallion Studs (EBF), said: “British Stallion Studs (EBF) are delighted to be a leading sponsor of the 2024 High Value Developmental Race programme, with a contribution of over 拢325,000, covering more than 30 races.
“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. For example, the Brocklesby Stakes will be run at 拢40,000 for the first time in 2024, a 70 per cent increase from before British Stallion Studs (EBF) involvement.
“By supporting these races, we hope to showcase to owners and breeders the valuable impact our stallion owners鈥� contributions have on raising prize money levels across the Maiden and Novice programme.”
Douglas Erskine Crum, CEO of Juddmonte, said: 鈥淎fter the success of last year鈥檚 BHA initiative to kick-start a long-term plan to enhance prize money substantially for developmental races, Juddmonte is delighted to support financially this year鈥檚 further enhancements.
鈥淭hese high prize money developmental races directly support owners and breeders in areas that can be overlooked and thereby support our UK breeding industry.鈥�
Sam Bullard, Director of Stallions at Darley, said, 鈥淔ollowing the success of last year’s race series and the many positive comments received, we are delighted to continue our sponsorship of this important development fund.
鈥淒arley remains committed to supporting breeders through both race sponsorship and our contribution to the EBF and we hope that these elements will continue to work together for the benefit of British racing.”
Jimmy George, Marketing Director at Tattersalls, said: 鈥淲e introduced the hugely popular 拢25,000 Tattersalls October Book 1 Bonus Scheme back in 2016 with the aim of rewarding owners with the best maiden and novice prize money in Europe. Since then we have paid out more than 拢8 million directly to owners and the Tattersalls support of these high value maidens and novices is an extension of our commitment to this area of the racing programme.
鈥淧rize money for British Group and Listed races is the best in Europe, but maidens and novices are less competitive and alongside the BHA, EBF, Darley and Juddmonte, Tattersalls will continue to focus on this crucial sector.鈥�
Notes to editors:
1. A full list of the 2024 High Value Developmental Races can be found .
2.聽The sponsorship of the races is broken down as follows:
- 22聽two-year-old Open Maiden and Novice races supported by British Stallion Studs (EBF) and the BHA Development Fund
- Nine two-year-old Restricted Maiden and Novice races supported by the British Stallion Studs (EBF)
- Three three-year-old plus Open Maiden and Novice races supported by British Stallion Studs (EBF) and the BHA Development Fund
- 20 three-year-old plus Open Maiden and Novice races supported by Darley and the BHA Development Fund
- 20 two-year-old Restricted Maiden and Novice races supported by Juddmonte
- Ten two-year-old Open Maiden and Novice races supported by Tattersalls
