Six-figure bonus boosts EBF series of juvenile staying races

The series of races created in 2015 by the BHA and the British European Breeders' Fund to boost the stayers' programme has been provided with a huge financial boost.

Matchbook will match the EBF's prize-money contribution and put in place a £100,000 bonus for any winner from the series who goes on to win a Group 1 race over 1m2f or further in Britain and Ireland in their three-year-old year.

The Matchbook EBF Future Stayers' Series consists of 16 races which are open to the progeny of stallions and mares that had won over distances of 1m2f or further.

The series begins at Yarmouth on August 7 and runs through to Chelmsford on December 13. Each of the races, to be run over at least 7f, will be worth a minimum of £14,000 and the series has a total value of £283,000.

EBF chairman Philip Mitchell said: "The bonus is eminently winnable - if it had been in place in the 2016 season, for example, Cracksman would have been the first recipient.

"He won an EBF sire/dam restricted race at Newmarket towards the end of the 2016 season and then went on to win the Champion Stakes at Ascot at the end of his three-year-old career."

Matchbook chief executive Mark Brosnan said: "We are extremely passionate about the future of horse racing and we want our sponsorships to make a difference, whilst also providing exposure for our brand.

"We're incredibly excited to partner with the EBF on this innovative initiative, which we believe supports the grassroots of the sport. Horses like Stradivarius exemplify how this series provides an insight into the staying stars of the future."

Charlie Appleby, trainer of the series graduate Line Of Duty, said: "It's fantastic to see the EBF supporting and promoting a better programme for middle-distance and future staying type horses.

"The sire/dam restricted races are a great initiative and provide an excellent platform for potential top-class horses of this type."

If you enjoyed this, you should also read:

Dante hopeful Telecaster bidding to become Meon Valley's latest headline act

Racing Post Trophy scorer Kingston Hill supplies first winner