'Rubbish' prize-money has Ascot-winning owner planning to run horses abroad

An owner who had winners at Ascot and Goodwood last year is planning to run his horses abroad because of the "rubbish" prize-money in Britain.

Graham Anstiss, who set up Peter Clarke Racing with his wife Sarah as a tribute to his late father-in-law, said he is turning his attention to France in particular, having become disheartened by the state of British racing.

Anstiss is the latest in a long list of domestic participants to look across the Channel for greater rewards, with Tom George recently becoming the first trainer to have a permanent training base in both Britain and France as he looks to future-proof his business.

"We've got some big plans for this year, but the prize-money here is so rubbish we've now been looking to send some of the horses to France," said Anstiss, who is also considering options in Bahrain.

"The plan is to send them two weeks at a time and plot two races, and then we'll bring them back to run here or Ireland in the big races.

"We are a core of ten people who own all the horses and we have to subsidise it to the tune of £150,000 to £200,000 a year between us. If you didn't love horseracing, you wouldn't do it. That's the sad thing, they're killing racing by not putting enough money into it."

Peter Clarke Racing, whose horses are trained by James Evans in Worcestershire, had a prolific year in 2022, with 15 winners in Britain bringing in just under £112,500 in prize-money.

Dream Composer, who finished fourth at Royal Ascot in 2021, accrued the most prize-money last year following three victories at Pontefract, Goodwood and Ascot, while Justcallmepete has been a revelation over the winter having secured an all-weather four-timer at Southwell on Saturday.

Dream Composer winning for Peter Clarke Racing at Ascot in OctoberCredit: Getty Images

"Pete won £9,000 today but we were only here for the Arc bonus money for the all-weather's winningmost horse," said Anstiss, speaking from the track on Saturday.

"The problem is when you've got 55-60 rated horses, they still cost the same to train as one rated 90. We've got a horse later called Danah Star running for £3,500 [to the winner]. By the time James has driven her two and a half hours here, it's cost us £500-600. A month's training is £2,500 and there just isn't enough money going back into it."

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