RECORD PRIZE MONEY AT CHELTENHAM FOR 2005/06 SEASON
Big increases in values of Smurfit Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ladbrokes World Hurdle and totesport Gold Cup
Prize money at Cheltenham for the 2005/06 season will stand at a record £4.82 million, with £2.87 million of this spread over the four days of The Festival. This means that the average prize fund for races at Cheltenham this season stands at £47,000.
In addition to the record level of prize money, all four of the "major" Championship races will see a substantial increase to their purses.
The Smurfit Champion Hurdle - Tuesday, March 14, 2006
The 2006 running of the Smurfit Champion Hurdle will have a prize fund of £340,000. This compares to £300,000 in 2005 and represents an increase of 13.3%.
The Queen Mother Champion Chase - Wednesday, March 15, 2006
This season's Queen Mother Champion Chase will have prize money of £290,000, compared to £250,000 last year - an increase of 16%.
The Ladbrokes World Hurdle - Thursday, March 16, 2006
In 2006, the prize fund for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle will stand at £230,000 - up from £200,000 in 2005 and an increase of 15%. The Ladbrokes World Hurdle last season became the fourth major feature of The Festival, alongside the Smurfit Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase and totesport Gold Cup.
The totesport Gold Cup - Friday, March 17, 2006
The 2006 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup has a prize fund of £400,000 - up from £350,000 in 2005 and an increase of 14.3%.
Peter McNeile, Commercial Manager at Cheltenham, commented: "We are thrilled to be able to significantly raise prize money for the four championship races at The Festival.
"The increases will enable the Smurfit Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ladbrokes World Hurdle and totesport Gold Cup to cement their positions as the respective championship contests for the very best horses in jump racing."
AT THE RACE STATEMENT - RE PRESS COMMENT
Following press comment in today's Daily Telegraph, At The Races (ATR) makes the following statement:
"This is a misleading and one sided article. Rather than being a "dramatic twist", the "counter claim" to which the article refers was lodged as long ago as 13 December 2004. ATR has had plenty of time to consider it and has deemed it to have no substance and that it is irrelevant to its own claim against the courses for monies rightfully owed following the lawful termination of the original media rights contract. This claim is due to be heard in November 2005. ATR's resolve on this matter remains undiminished and it is looking forward to an opportunity to put the matter to the Court, resolving it once and for all."
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