Britain’s Valuable Maiden Series Returns with £3.3m On Offer

[Wandering Eyes]

More than £3.3m in prize-money has been devoted to this year's programme of High-Value Developmental Races on the Flat in Britain with an increased focus on potential stayers. 

The series features 89 maiden and novice contests, 31 of which are for two-year-olds and worth £40,000, while another 30 restricted juvenile novices and maidens will carry a minimum of £30,000 in prize-money. For three-year-olds and up there are 28 open novice and maiden races worth a minimum of £40,000.

With the financial backing of British Stallion Studs (EBF), Juddmonte, Darley and Tattersalls, support for the initiative also comes from the   BHA Development Fund. The series, now in its third year, was devised in the hope that the enhanced prize-money would encourage the purchase and retention of young equine talent in Britain, thereby also supporting British breeding. It has grown in number from 63 races in 2023 and 84 last year. 

The full list of races for the series, which begins at Southwell on March 15 and runs through to Chelmsford on December 1, can be viewed here.

This essential part of the race programme has gone from strength-to-strength in recent years, with the 84 races staged last year building on 63 races staged in 2023.

“We are really pleased to confirm the continuation of the High-Value Developmental programme for 2025 after another successful year,” said Richard Wayman, director of racing at the BHA.

“It is important for us to take steps to encourage the racing and breeding of horses in Britain, and the increased returns in prize-money that these races provide is a vital part of that process.

“It has been brilliant to see the races so well engaged with by owners and trainers, and that wouldn't be possible without the support of British Stallion Studs (EBF), Darley, Juddmonte and Tattersalls, who have worked together with the BHA to enable this initiative to thrive. We are also grateful to the Horseracing Betting Levy Board and our host racecourses for supporting the running of the races.”

He continued, “In producing this year's list of races, we have increased the focus on the staying horse as part of our ongoing strategy to attract and encourage quality horses with an aptitude for stamina.

“We very much hope to grow this significant initiative in the future, and I know that I speak on behalf of all of our partners when saying that we would warmly welcome other organisations to join us so that we can support more of these races in the years ahead.”

Simon Sweeting, chairman of the British Stallion Studs (EBF), added, “The British EBF will again lead the industry sponsorship of this £3.3 million project in 2025 which focuses prize-money into a vital, foundation area of the programme. Our 2024 races produced fantastic graduates, the standout being Manton Thoroughbreds' Rashabar. Second in our high-value Maiden at Chester's May meeting, he went on to win a stunningly close Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and finished second in both the G1 Prix Morny and Jean-Luc Lagadere.

“The races supported by the British EBF produced a further 10 stakes winners or performers, including Listed winners Englemere, Lady With The Lamp and Glamis Road. With open maidens and novices worth a minimum of £40,000 and restricted races a minimum of £30,000, we hope more owners and trainers will target the great prize-money on offer in these development opportunities for their horses' careers.”

Sam Bullard, Director of Stallions at Darley, said, “Now in its third year, the Darley Maiden Series continues to be the subject of a great deal of positivity, and we are delighted to continue this sponsorship.

“Supporting breeders, either through this development series or via our contribution to the EBF, remains of paramount importance to Darley and we look forward to the first of the Darley series races taking place on 11 April, at Newbury.”

Juddmonte's CEO Douglas Erskine Crum said, “Juddmonte is delighted to support financially again this year's further enhancements. These high prize-money developmental races directly support owners and breeders in areas that can be overlooked and thereby support our UK breeding industry.”

Britain's largest sales house, Tattersalls, has also lent its support to the project. Jason Singh, the company's associate director of marketing at Tattersalls, said, “Tattersalls is pleased to continue supporting high-value maiden and novice races in partnership with the BHA, EBF, Darley, and Juddmonte.

“Alongside our highly successful £25,000 Tattersalls October Book 1 Bonus Scheme, which has paid out over £9 million directly to owners since 2016, this initiative ensures that 89 maiden and novice races offer substantial prize-money, strengthening this key area of the racing programme.”

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