'Fantastic news' - Great British Bonus pays out more than £5 million in bonuses

The lucrative Great British Bonus scheme has passed a major milestone, with more than £5 million now paid out to connections of GBB-registered fillies since its inception in May 2020.

The mark was reached when Cazoo Oaks entry Emily Upjohn made it two wins from as many starts in the Nordoff Robbins Charlie Watts Memorial Fillies' Novice Stakes at Sandown on Friday.

Set up with the aim of improving the demand for, and value of, British-bred fillies at sales, the industry incentive scheme offers multiple bonuses of up to £20,000 per eligible race for British-bred fillies and mares.

Bonuses are shared among winning connections, with 65 per cent going to owners, 20 per cent to breeders, 7.5 per cent to trainers, five per cent to jockeys and 2.5 per cent to stable staff.

The GBB scheme awarded its first bonus to the Mark Johnston-trained Pelekai in June 2020 and has now paid out more than £5m across 375 races – 237 on the Flat and 138 over jumps, including Saturday's action.

A particularly attractive selling point is that fillies and mares can win multiple bonuses. The Dan Skelton-trained Molly Ollys Wishes has won four worth £80,000, while other multiple bonus scorers include Dragon Bones (four, worth £70,000), Blackberry (three, £60,000), Anythingforlove (three, £60,000) and Chilli Filli (three, £30,000).

Emily Upjohn: Sandown winner took the GBB scheme past the £5 million markCredit: Edward Whitaker

Operations executive Charlie Newton said: “The Great British Bonus has been truly embraced by the industry and is supporting not only owners, trainers and stable staff but, crucially, breeders too.

“There is huge demand for GBB fillies and we’re seeing clear evidence that the value of British-bred fillies is increasing in the sales ring.

“I'm consistently told that GBB is making a difference and that there is no longer the worry and disappointment in the breeding sheds if you have a glut of fillies rather than colts."

She continued: “The small, private breeders who make up a large proportion of the sector are telling us that GBB is making breeding worthwhile, that they’re buying another mare or that they’re no longer giving up because GBB has been a game changer.

“To have paid out £5 million in under two years is fantastic news for the industry, and we’re truly grateful not only to the Levy Board, who help fund the scheme and make it possible, but to all those breeders, owners and trainers who support it.”

Philip Newton, deputy chairman of the TBA, added: "In just 22 short months GBB has changed behaviour, influenced breeding decisions, increased sales returns and rewarded owners. We couldn't have wished for anything more."

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