SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has revealed programming of over 80 High Value Developmental Races for the 2024 Flat season worth more than £3m in total prize money.
This initiative was in collaboration with 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.
Richard Wayman, BHA Chief Operating Officer, stated: “We 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.”
Wayman also highlighted the importance that steps are taken to retain quality horses on our shores and stated that with over 80 of these races scheduled for the coming season, this is one initiative that the group believes will support this broader aim.
“It 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,” he continued.
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’s 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.
The programme is made up as: 32 Open Novice/Maiden races for two-year-olds, worth a minimum of £40,000; 29 Restricted Novice/Maiden races for two-year-olds, worth a minimum of £30,000; 23 Open Novice/Maiden races for three-year-olds plus, worth a minimum of £40,000.
“EBF are delighted to be a leading sponsor of the 2024 High Value Developmental Race programme, with a contribution of over £325,000, covering more than 30 races,” added Simon Sweeting, Chairman of 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.
“By supporting these races, we hope to showcase to owners and breeders the valuable impact our stallion owners’ contributions have on raising prize money levels across the Maiden and Novice programme.”
