The total prize-money at Ascot Racecourse in 2024 will increase to £17.5 million, the racecourse announced on Wednesday. This marks a 3.9% increase on 2023's total of £16.8 million.
Royal Ascot's prize-money has been raised to an even £10 million, with no races contested at less than £110,000, up from £100,000. All Group 1 races at the iconic stand will be worth £650,000, an increase of £50,000 per race. The affected races include the King Charles III S. (formerly the King's Stand S.), the St James's Palace S., the Gold Cup, the Commonwealth Cup, and the Coronation S.
Nick Smith, Director of Racing and Public Affairs at Ascot Racecourse, said, “We are pleased to be delivering these prize-money increases in 2024 against a backdrop of uncertainty and an unprecedented number of negative headwinds for the industry. The financial impact on all facets of the industry is already being acutely felt.
“It is, however, crucial for Royal Ascot to maintain its position on the global stage at a time when participants at home and abroad have so many alternative lucrative options away from Britain.
“Whist the main increases have been made to the Royal Meeting to enable us to get to £10 million for the first time, we have made increases in other areas of the programme as well.
“These include increases to fit with the new Premier fixture structure, including at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, where there is a particular focus on maintaining full fields.
“Importantly, no race at Ascot will be run for less than in 2023 including at our Core (non-Premier) fixtures. This is in spite of a reduction in central funding to this element of the programme, which has therefore required further increases in executive contribution.”
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