Purse Hikes In New South Wales

[Wandering Eyes]

Racing NSW will, from Sept. 1, implement prizemoney increases across all three racing sectors that will see purses boosted by A$24-million annually. After the increases, New South Wales will be paying A$260-million annually in purses and bonuses, the highest of any state in Australia.

Metropolitan Saturday and midweek racing and TAB Highway racing will see purse increases of 25%. Metropolitan public holiday racing will be up 20%, while provincial racing will be up 16.7% and country racing 10%. Country horses will also have a shot at a A$1.3-million pot in the newly announced The Kosciuszko, which will be held on The Everest undercard on Oct. 13.

The majority of increases will be for horses finishing fourth through 10th. In an effort to improve cash flow for trainers, for the first time part of the increased prizemoney will be paid directly to the trainer, with these amounts credited as a prepayment to the owners’ accounts. The A$24-million increase means trainers will receive directly an additional A$2.4-million annually, while jockeys will see an additional $1.2-million annually.

The minimum purse for Group 3 races has risen to A$160,000 from A$150,000, while listed races will be up to A$140,000 from A$125,000. The Percy Sykes S. and Arrowfield 3YO Sprint at The Championships have each had A$400,000 added to their pots to bring them up to A$1-million.

“On behalf of the Board of Racing NSW, I would like to again thank the NSW Government for embracing wagering tax parity as we progress towards placing racing in NSW on a level playing

field with Victoria wagering tax,” said Racing NSW Chairman Russell Balding. “Increases in wagering tax parity receipts with the further phase-in of parity from July 2018 and strong race fields fees revenue has enabled the Board of Racing NSW to deliver these prizemoney increases which are geared to boost participation in Thoroughbred racing throughout NSW.”

The prizemoney increases are part of Racing NSW’s strategic plan, which will also focus on investment in racecourses and training facilities and integrity operations.

“NSW not only stages the world’s richest race on turf in The Everest, but is underpinned by outstanding levels of minimum prizemoney across all sectors,” said Racing NSW Chief Executive Peter V’landys. “Prizemoney in NSW has increased by more than A$130-million annually across a seven-year period. The success of Thoroughbred racing in NSW over this time is due in no small part to the thousands of hard-working industry participants and the many thousands of owners that continue to subsidise the industry. These prizemoney increases importantly focus on

benefitting a wider spread of participant groups.”

Click here for detailed breakdowns of prizemoney distribution.

Kosciuszko Boosts Country Racing…

The Everest-Australia’s A$13-million buy-in race and the world’s richest turf race and sprint-will be bolstered on Oct. 13 at Randwick by the new The Kosciuszko, the world’s richest country race worth A$1.3-million and restricted to country-trained horses.

Through a joint venture with the Australian Hotels Association, the public will be able to buy A$5 tickets at AHA hotels with TAB outlets that will enter them into a draw to own a part share in a horse in the Kosciuszko. The 12 winners drawn will then be able to select their country-trained horse that will participate, subject to agreements with the horses connections on how prizemoney will be shared. Racing NSW can assist the winning ticketholders with selection. Tickets go on sale on July 19 and the draw will be held on Sept. 14.

The Kosciuszko, like The Everest, will be run over 1200 metres under set weight. The race is sponsored by Lion Beer Australia, which makes Kosciuszko beer.

John Whelan, AHA NSW Chief Executive Officer, said, “In country towns across NSW the local pubs and the racing community have supported each other for over a century. We’re

thrilled to back the world’s richest country race. We really think our patrons, especially our hotel punters clubs, will get behind this exciting opportunity. For the cost of a $5 ticket it gives everyone the chance to ‘own’ a runner in a A$1.3-million race on Everest Day.”

Paul Toole MP, Minister for Lands and Forestry, and Minister for Racing, said, “The race is a great way to showcase NSW country-trained horses, giving them the chance to compete at one of Australia’s biggest days of racing. I congratulate Racing NSW on this exciting new initiative to support regional NSW racing, which plays such a vital role in cities and towns across the state. With the recent success of The Everest and The Championships, the NSW racing industry continues to go from strength to strength.”

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