Ascot introduces free-to-enter King George with prize-money boosted to £1.5 million

This year’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot will be the richest-ever race run at the royal racecourse after prize-money was boosted to £1.5 million.

Alongside the £250,000 increase from 2024, this year’s running will be the first under a new incentive scheme whereby the owners of the horses competing in the Group 1 will have their entry fees refunded in full, effectively making the contest free to enter. The concession would not apply for horses supplemented for the race.

Ascot said the decisions to boost the King George’s purse and refund fees for runners were aimed at increasing competitiveness and reflecting the race’s stature as a midsummer middle-distance highlight in Europe.

Last year, Goliath defeated subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Bluestocking and future Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Rebel’s Romance in the King George, which is seeking a new sponsor for 2025 after Qipco ended its backing of the race after ten years.

Nick Smith, Ascot's director of racing and public affairs, said: “We have been thinking about the concept of 'run for free' for the King George for some time as a mechanism for incentivising runners at decision-making time, as there are other alternatives lower down the Pattern and overseas.

“Field sizes are very important, especially in the World Pool era, and we hope that connections of horses that aren't at the top of the betting might see this as a good reason to go for the big target, especially with record prize-money on offer.”

Some changes have also been made to the entry conditions for some Royal Ascot contestsCredit: Patrick McCann

As well as making changes to the King George, Ascot has dropped early-closing entries for four Group 2s at the royal meeting, which will once again be run for total prize-money of £10m this year.

Entries for the Ribblesdale, King Edward VII Stakes, Duke of Cambridge Stakes and the Hardwicke Stakes previously had to be made in April with various elimination stages before the final fields were confirmed.

However, from this year, the races will be six-day entry only, and Paul Johnson, chief executive of the National Trainers Federation, said: “Trainers will certainly appreciate the extra flexibility that converting these Group 2s to becoming normal closers offers. This will allow for more informed decision-making in the build-up to these races and will hopefully see Ascot rewarded with competitive contests.”

He added: “The introduction of the 'run for free' for the King George is also a concept we hope will encourage runners in tandem with the significant increase in prize-money.”

Ascot will offer total prize-money of £17.75m across 2025 with the course increasing its executive contribution to prize pools to a budgeted £10.1m from £9.4m in 2024.

Felicity Barnard, Ascot's new chief executive, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our upward trajectory in prize-money for 2025 and, through changes to entry conditions for the Group 2 races at Royal Ascot and 'run for free' for the King George, we will be absorbing more costs usually paid by owners.

“The King George is our midsummer highlight and Britain's top all-aged mile-and-a-half race. It is vital that its prize-money reflects that, and this year's renewal will be the most valuable race ever run at Ascot.”

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