Jockey Club courses to boost prize-money to pre-pandemic levels from October

Prize-money at Jockey Club racecourses will return to pre-pandemic levels from October in a welcome boost for the sport in Britain. The Jockey Club, whose 15 tracks include Aintree, Cheltenham, Epsom and Sandown, will boost its prize-money contribution by almost £1.5 million to more than £12.5m for the final three months of the year.

At the start of June, the Jockey Club announced prize-money levels for the remainder of the year would be within nine per cent of pre-pandemic rates, but an improved financial outlook has enabled British racing's largest commercial group to reinstate previous race values.

The Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton will be worth £250,000 – up £25,000 – Haydock's Betfair Chase will be run for £200,000 – up £20,000 – and the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham's November meeting will have a purse of £160,000, having been advertised at £135,000.