Over £104m was paid out in Prize Money in 2006, marking an all-time record and a 4.8% increase on 2005’s figure of £99.3m. It is the second time that Prize Money has broken through the £100m barrier, with the previous record being £101.3m in 2004, and British Prize Money has now increased by 24% over the last five years.
There were increased contributions to Prize Money in 2006 from the Horserace Betting Levy Board, Racecourses – in the form of Executive and Sponsors’ contributions – and Owners. BHB’s Development Fund, created by money raised through the sport’s first fixture bidding process in June 2005 and used to support races that serve a particular race planning role, amounted to £712,000. £707,554 was also paid out by the Levy Board in the final year of the Owners’ Premium Scheme.
Further records were also set in the following areas:
• Horses in training (14,470 compared to 14,388 in 2005, a rise of 0.6%)
• Fixtures staged (1,332 compared to 1,300, a rise of 2.5%)
• Races run (8,934 compared to 8,588, a rise of 4%)
• Individual runners (19,178 compared to 18,678, an increase of 2.7%)
Strong figures were also posted in other areas:
• Owners with a horse in training (9,327 compared to 9,403, a decrease of 0.8%)
• Runners (94,610 compared to 94,659, a decrease of 0.1%)
BHB Acting Chief Executive Chris Brand said: “A new Prize Money record is something that for the whole of British Racing to take credit for and be proud of. We are continuing to see the benefits of a strategically expanded and reformed Fixture List, but special mention should to go to those racecourses who made increased Executive and Sponsorship contributions in 2006.
“Entering 2007, we will face a considerable challenge to reach the £100m barrier given the recent drop in levy yield, and it is more important than ever that racecourses take an enlightened approach in this area.
“Overall though, and as reflected in other key indicators, the sport continues in buoyant health. It is vital that we do not rest on our laurels and the sport must continue to strive to attract new customers and investors.”
Notes
1. 2002-2006 comparative figures are shown below.
2006 2005 2004 2003 2002
Prize Money (£)
104,058,476 99,320,951 101,309,953 94,149,963 84,203,203
Horses In Training
14,470 14,388 14,129 13,288 12,986
Owners With A Horse In Training
9,327 9,403 9,266 8,949 8,899
Number of Fixtures Staged
1,332 1,300 1,299 1,220 1,158
Number of Races Run
8,934 8,588 8,577 8,028 7,691
2. The breakdown of Prize Money (£) in 2006 was:
Flat Jump Total Total
2006 2006 2006 2005
Horserace Betting Levy Board 37,293,428 24,797,160 62,090,588 60,328,078
Racecourse (Exec + Sponsors) 18,634,019 8,641,472 27,275,491 25,155,716
Owners 9,184,664 2,912,929 12,097,593 11,722,497
Divided Race Fund 657,700 262,550 920,250 1,300,800
BHB Development Fund 474,000 238,000 712,000 –
BHB Race Planning Incentive Scheme – – – 67,000
Owners’ Premium Scheme 577,561 129,993 707,554 446,860
BHB Order of Merit – 255,000 255,000 255,000
TOTAL 66,821,372 37,237,104 104,058,476 99,275,951
1. Racecourses are currently in the process of confirming the division in their contribution between executive and sponsor
2. The Order of Merit contribution represents the cash payments made for 2005/06, excluding the element of the prize paid in bloodstock vouchers
