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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
The Betfred Derby will be run for prize-money of £2 million in 2026, making it the joint-richest race in Britain alongside the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. This £500,000 boost in purse from last year is just one of a raft of “significant changes” announced by the Jockey Club for Epsom's Betfred Derby Festival next June. The programme of reinvigoration, with investment of £6 million, includes Coolmore being announced as sponsor of the Coronation Cup, which will be run for £1 million – more than double its previous prize-money of £450,000 – and will switch from the Friday card to join the Derby on Saturday. There will be an overall increase of £1.375 million in prize-money across the two days of racing, making Betfred Derby Day the second-most valuable raceday to be run next year in the UK after Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot. “Epsom Downs Racecourse is the home of the 'Original Derby', a race which is widely regarded as the most important two and a half minutes in the racing and breeding industry, shaping pedigrees, stallion careers and bloodstock markets for generations,” said Epsom's general manager Jim Allen. “Since the first running in 1780, the Betfred Derby has not only established itself as the definitive test of the Thoroughbred, but as a race so prestigious that its name has been adopted worldwide, inspiring hundreds of races from the Kentucky Derby to races in Japan, Australia and Hong Kong.” Following dwindling attendance at the Derby meeting, including particularly disappointing figures during a wet weekend this year of 22,312 on Derby day and 15,133 for the Oaks, the team at Epsom, with colleagues from across the Jockey Club, undertook a six-month review process involving analysis of customer, stakeholder and visitor feedback and data. On Derby day, the Coolmore Coronation Cup, Betfred Dash and Betfred Derby will run in succession to create “a thrilling 90 minutes of horseracing”. Epsom will also now be home to the Group 3 contest previously known as the John O'Gaunt Stakes and run at Haydock. Renamed the Tattenham Corner Stakes, it too will feature on Saturday's card and is one of seven black-type races across the meeting. In a bid to attract young racegoers, under-18s will be given free entry both days to general admission enclosures when accompanied by an adult, with complimentary hospitality and dining area experiences for anyone under the age of 12, and discounts for 12 to 17-year-olds. The customer-focused initiatives include the installation of banks of 'bleacher-style' covered seating along the final furlong on the Hill on the inside of the track “giving racegoers a 'bird's eye' view of the action like never before”, a new undercover area in the grandstand enclosure and improved track-side hospitality. A new DerbyFest area on the Hill, which will be run in partnership with sporting events promoter Queensberry, is also planned, and there will also be free car parking for all racegoers. Andrew Cooper, head of racing and clerk of the course at Epsom Downs, said, “The Betfred Derby is the pinnacle of any Flat trainer or jockey's career and a race that remains incredibly important for the Thoroughbred and breeding industry. “It is vital that we continue to do everything we can to maintain its status and prestige and that's been an important focus of the whole team throughout this review process. We want to ensure that we are hosting competitive racing, not just in our feature races, but across the two-day festival. We had clear objectives in this regard, with our key aim to produce races that suit the wide demographic of horses currently in training.” Of the planned changes, he explained, “Switching the Coolmore Coronation Cup to be run on the Saturday, the introduction of a new seven-furlong Group 3 race and making this year's change to 72-hour declarations for the Betfred Derby itself permanent are all changes that I think demonstrate the importance placed on what happens on the track. “An increase in prize-money of £1.375 million over the two days will also bring us very close to the £5 million mark, while increasing The Betfred Derby's prize money to £2 million will ensure that no other race in the UK will be run for more, in line with the stature of the race. This commitment would not have been possible without the ongoing support of Betfred, along with that of the British Horseracing Authority and the European Flat Pattern Committee.” In 2025, Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore partners won their tenth Coronation Cup with Jan Brueghel, as well as winning the Oaks with Minnie Hauk and Derby with Lambourn. Next year will make Coolmore's first sponsorship at the track where they have enjoyed such success. Coolmore's John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith | Healy Racing Cooper added, “We are also hugely grateful to Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and John Magnier from Coolmore for their support of the Coronation Cup, another of the races we identified as needing investment. By more than doubling its prize-money and giving it a prime place on the Saturday we are demonstrating our commitment to promoting it as one of the outstanding middle-distance races for older horses. “Finally, we must also thank World Pool for their support, with eight races each day reflecting the importance of the two days globally, along with their invaluable contribution enabling us to increase prize-money across the two days. The Betfred Oaks goes back to being a World Pool race in 2026, while the Betfred Derby is the second-highest UK race for World Pool turnover.” Aidan O'Brien, whose 11 wins in the Derby make him the most successful trainer in the race's history, voiced his support for the planned changes. He said, “From the time that matings are planned at Coolmore, right the way through to the training process here at Ballydoyle, there is always huge emphasis placed on the Derby. If we had to pick one race in the calendar to win, the Derby would invariably be it. “We are very grateful to the Jockey Club for their increased investment for next year's Derby Festival and welcome all the new initiatives, particularly those aimed at encouraging more young people to come racing, as they are the future of the sport.” The new hospitality facilities at Epsom in 2026 will include an area named after O'Brien's first Derby winner Galileo, which will feature live entertainment and an after-racing party. A glass-fronted trackside marquee named 1780, reflecting the race's origins, will provide another hospitality option, along with the new seating on the Hill, which can be used by annual members and guests of the Cedric's and 1780 hospitality areas. The Hill enclosure remains free to enter on both days of the Betfred Derby Festival. Allen added, “The changes we are making, both on and off the track, would not have been possible without crucial input from racegoers, annual members, the local community, a number of stakeholders from right across the sport and our sponsors Betfred and other partners, all of which have helped shape this painstaking review process. “It is so important for us to be continually evolving and improving to give everyone the best possible experience across the two days. Ultimately, we want to deliver something that Epsom and the surrounding area, along with everyone connected with British racing, can feel truly proud of and one which is befitting of The Betfred Derby Festival's status as a world-class and prestigious event.” He continued, “From a customer experience perspective, we want to make The Betfred Derby Festival accessible to everyone. From the top hats in the Queen Elizabeth II Stand, to free entry for all on The Hill, we want every racegoer and spectator to feel they have a place at Epsom Downs on the first weekend in June.” The post Betfred Derby Boosted to £2m; Coolmore to Sponsor £1m Coronation Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article -
Next meeting at Manawatu is Jan 8th, is a single day, might not be there. -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
James McDonald and Zac Purton are optimistic they will have a big say in a wide-open Group One Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on Sunday when they ride Galaxy Patch and Voyage Bubble, respectively. In what looms as the most open contest of the four Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) features, the Mile could become a blockbuster showdown between the two champion jockeys. Galaxy Patch and Voyage Bubble are two of the headline acts in the HK$36 million race, with the former coming off a...View the full article -
that is hard to understand? Palmy need Michael House taking horses up there or they will not be holding meetings! -
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