We're Doomed 4,824 Report post Posted June 4, 2020 Interesting to see massive drops in stakes at Ascot. I might have missed it, but I don't recall seeing any projected revised stakes levels in NZ. Surely they must have some idea what stakes will be for the big races. Brilliant fields for the Brisbane features this weekend despite stakes being slashed. It is the group status that is most important for many connections. The huge impact that the two-and-a-half month suspension and the ongoing requirement to race behind closed doors will have on the sport’s balance sheet was underlined on Thursday with confirmation that the prize fund for this year’s Royal meeting at Ascot will be nearly 50% below the total for 2019, despite six extra contests being added to the schedule. There was £7.33m on offer for the 30 races at the Royal meeting 12 months ago with the prize funds for the meeting’s eight Group One events ranging from a minimum of £500,000 up to £750,000 for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. The total for this year’s meeting, which will open behind closed doors on 16 June, will drop by 49.8% to £3.68m, with all the Group One contests run for £250,000. There is a big drop too in the minimum prize at the meeting, with eight races due to be run for just £35,000 rather than the £90,000 which was on offer in 2019. The average value of a race at the meeting, meanwhile, will drop to just over £100,000 from £244,000 12 months ago. “2020 was set to be a landmark year for Royal Ascot prize money,” said Guy Henderson, Ascot’s chief executive. “However, these unprecedented times have intervened. We have sought to respond by producing an enhanced programme of racing this year to maximise opportunities to participate and which in its own way will deliver an exciting and memorable Royal meeting.” With no revenue from ticket sales or hospitality, off-course betting will be essential to the success of this year’s meeting and six races on each of the five days will be broadcast live on ITV1. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leggy 4,005 Report post Posted June 5, 2020 14 hours ago, We're Doomed said: I might have missed it, but I don't recall seeing any projected revised stakes levels in NZ. Surely they must have some idea what stakes will be for the big races. Not till late June/early July accordding to Bernard. Makes it a bit hard to know how to plan what to do with spring horses at this stage to be fair. Not sure what they will know then that they don't know now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crow 226 Report post Posted June 5, 2020 5 hours ago, Leggy said: Not till late June/early July accordding to Bernard. Makes it a bit hard to know how to plan what to do with spring horses at this stage to be fair. Not sure what they will know then that they don't know now. Everyone is paying the bills to get there horses going again and then will have to suck the eggs when the stake funding comes out and if you are not in a position to send your horse to Aussie and abandoned racing in NZ altogether or hopefully sell in want will be a downturn market because the buyers know how desperate we are to move them on. At least the economy is moving a bit with wages, feed merchant, farriers and vets etc our owners will be proud to support them with no hope of a return if you have a horse capable of winning races. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivanthegreat 1,123 Report post Posted June 5, 2020 Bugga....... O'h gosh I think I will stay here for the Karaka Meeting instead then. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
We're Doomed 4,824 Report post Posted June 5, 2020 2 hours ago, ivanthegreat said: Bugga....... O'h gosh I think I will stay here for the Karaka Meeting instead then. I am pleased you said "karaka meeting" and not "karaka millions". ivanthegreat 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...