The Ed Dunlop-trained Havana Sky has claimed the coveted title of Horse of the Month for December in the ARC £1,000,000 All-Weather Bonus initiative. Topping the leaderboard with 15 points, the four-year-old’s connections will receive a £20,000 prize, while stable staff associated with Havana Sky will enjoy a £5,000 bonus.
The ARC £1,000,000 All-Weather Bonus is a hallmark competition for British horse racing, rewarding exceptional performance across four venues: Lingfield Park, Newcastle, Southwell, and Wolverhampton. Now in its third season, the initiative runs from October 22, 2024, to culminate on Good Friday, April 18, 2025. The season-long competition awards points for horses finishing between first and fifth place in races, with the ultimate Horse of the Year winner earning an additional £100,000.
December’s standout performer, Havana Sky, delivered three remarkable victories over 6f, extending his winning streak to five races. This outstanding run places him atop the Horse of the Year standings.
Trainer Ed Dunlop expressed his excitement about the achievement, saying:
“We’ve been avidly tracking the competition throughout December. We thought this horse was the perfect horse to campaign as part of the initiative. We know how competitive it is, the ARC Horse of The Month has made a great difference to the All-Weather racing in the Winter. It’s made a great difference. The owners are thrilled they’ve won the bonus and I believe there’s a bonus for the staff too which makes it even better.”
The December competition also saw Swinging London, Alfheim, Rebel Empire, and Paradoxical finishing tied for second place, collectively sharing a £15,000 runner-up prize.
The ARC £1,000,000 All-Weather Bonus offers monthly Horse of the Month contests for October/November, December, January, February, and March/April. Later months will feature heightened prize pools, with £70,000 available to top-performing horses in January, February, and March/April.
The initiative continues to elevate the prestige of winter All-Weather racing, drawing attention to standout performances and providing significant rewards for participants.
About ARC
Arena Racing Company (ARC) is the UK’s largest racing group, operating 16 racecourses nationwide, including Lingfield Park, Newcastle, Southwell, and Wolverhampton. Dedicated to enhancing British racing, ARC’s initiatives like the All-Weather Bonus showcase its commitment to improving the sport’s accessibility, competitiveness, and financial sustainability for connections and stable staff alike.
Stay tuned as the competition heats up in January with more thrilling races and high stakes!
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.