Ascot, Goodwood and York Racecourses have announced a lucrative ‘British Midsummer Bonus’ available to connections of horses trained outside Europe, who are being considered for three of the top Group 1 races in Great Britain in 2025.
Up to £1 million in bonuses will be available for sending horses for both the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot (TPF £1.5m) and the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood (TPF £1m).
The £1 million win bonus will pay out should the winners of both races be owned or trained by the same person (or entity in the case of owners). If the horses are placed in both races, a £250,000 bonus will be paid.
Additionally, any horse that wins either the King George or Qatar Sussex Stakes and then runs in the £1.25m Juddmonte International at York will receive a £250,000 appearance fee. Also, any horse placed in the King George or Qatar Sussex Stakes and then runs in the Juddmonte International will receive a £150,000 appearance fee.
And the news already has top trainers talking. Yoshito Yahagi, leading Japanese trainer, said: “I am excited to hear the news about this original bonus scheme which is very attractive for owners and trainers in Japan. Ascot, Goodwood and York Racecourses are adored by Japanese trainers, and this new scheme will certainly mean we give consideration to the venture when we plan our international programme. I hope I can become the first trainer to win the King George and Sussex Stakes in the same year.”
The scheme is open to three-year-old horses rated 115+ and four-year-olds and upwards rated 117+ and trained outside Europe (which for this purpose includes the Middle East due to horses being trained in both jurisdictions and travelling within them). All travel expenses will be paid for the King George and the Qatar Sussex Stakes, with free race entry (which also applies for the Juddmonte International).
All three racecourse spokespersons are thrilled and excited by the opportunity to promote this excellent collective racing experience in Great Britain in 2025.
Nick Smith, Director of Racing and Public Affairs at Ascot Racecourse, said: “We have been collectively considering how to maximise global attention on the midsummer period in Britain, when there are less major overseas events taking part than at other times of the year. The thinking behind the Midsummer Bonus is that the opening races are, effectively, the same week, and this presents an opportunity to promote the whole week and all its international options as one entity.”
Ed Arkell, Director of Racing and Clerk of the Course at Goodwood, commented:
“We are delighted to be partnering with Ascot and York with the Midsummer Bonus. Given the ever increasing globalisation of racing it is key that Britain continues to attract the best horses in the world to compete in our top races. We hope that this scheme will aid that outcome and we look forward to welcoming connections to Britain’s leading racecourses.”
William Derby, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course at York added:
“The prestige of this high-summer spell of racing, when Britain can shine with the spotlight on it, is widely acknowledged and this promotion further demonstrates the commitment of all three racecourses to showcasing our racing on the global stage.
“York will be paying an additional £50,000 in appearance fees for any horses travelling under this scheme, should they go to the Juddmonte International, recognising of course that milers and mile-and-a-half horses can go the 10f route. The £50,000 goes up to £150,000 should any horse be placed at Ascot or Goodwood and £250,000 if they have won.”
Full details of the scheme can be obtained by following this link.
Suzanne: BA (Hons) in Marketing Management, Diploma in Equine Studies, B.E.M.A Member. An entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in marketing, publishing, content curation, editing, and media writing. Avid equestrian, riding since the age of 5 and owning horses for over 35 years. Proud mum to humans, dogs, and a horse.