Boost for British racing and breeding as BHA confirms extension of High Value Developmental Races for 2024
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced the programming of more than 80 High Value Developmental Races for the 2024 Flat season worth over £3 million in total prize money.
This initiative has been made possible by 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.
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 began 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, with the programme made up as follows:
- 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
Richard Wayman, Chief Operating Officer of the BHA, said: “We are delighted to expand the programme of High Value Developmental Races for 2024. These important races are where all horses start their careers, and we know that it is an area of the programme where prize money is behind our international competitors. It is essential that steps are taken to retain quality horses on our shores and this programme of high value development races is one initiative that we believe will support this 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 programme of important races, concentrating attention on such a vital sector and delivering increased returns across the course of the Flat season. I am extremely grateful for their support in this project, along with the Horserace Betting Levy Board, and hope that these races will be well supported by our owners and trainers.”
Simon Sweeting, Chairman of British Stallion Studs (EBF), said: "British Stallion Studs (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.
"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. For example, the Brocklesby Stakes will be run at £40,000 for the first time in 2024, a 70 per cent increase from before British Stallion Studs (EBF) involvement.
"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."
Douglas Erskine Crum, CEO of Juddmonte, said: “After the success of last year’s BHA initiative to kick-start a long-term plan to enhance prize money substantially for developmental races, Juddmonte is delighted to support financially 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.”
Sam Bullard, Director of Stallions at Darley, said, “Following the success of last year's race series and the many positive comments received, we are delighted to continue our sponsorship of this important development fund.
“Darley remains committed to supporting breeders through both race sponsorship and our contribution to the EBF and we hope that these elements will continue to work together for the benefit of British racing."
Jimmy George, Marketing Director at Tattersalls, said: “We introduced the hugely popular £25,000 Tattersalls October Book 1 Bonus Scheme back in 2016 with the aim of rewarding owners with the best maiden and novice prize money in Europe. Since then we have paid out more than £8 million directly to owners and the Tattersalls support of these high value maidens and novices is an extension of our commitment to this area of the racing programme.
“Prize money for British Group and Listed races is the best in Europe, but maidens and novices are less competitive and alongside the BHA, EBF, Darley and Juddmonte, Tattersalls will continue to focus on this crucial sector.”
