Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes to be staged with reduced fund of £180,000

York's Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes will be staged under revised conditions following a consultation by the British Horseracing Authority.

The prize fund for the race, still scheduled for its original date of Thursday August 20 on the second day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival, has been reduced to £180,000 with the third and fourth stages of the race now not payable. A partial refund will be made to owners of the first (£120) and second (£240) stage entrants.

Last year's race, won in scintillating style by Mums Tipple, had a £300,000 pot. The other conditions for the event remain as before with the next scratching deadline on July 7.

Tim Kent, managing director of Goffs UK, said: "The Premier Yearling Stakes has become established in the racing calendar and is used by many high-class horses as a springboard to Group success later in the year.

"As such, we were very keen to protect the race during this strange year and we are delighted that we’ve managed to work with York Racecourse to stage the race on the traditional date which is just two weeks prior to our Premier Yearling Sale on September 1 and 2."

William Derby, clerk of the course at York, added: "In what continues to be an extraordinary season, we have sought a collaborative approach to find an equitable solution.

"We wanted to retain the status and relative high value of this race without appearing out of step with the reality of the Covid-19 crisis and resultant funding challenges for all.

"We feel this is a fair solution to ensure the race is run with six-figure prize money and our thanks go to the Horsemen, the team at BHA, as well as our sponsor, Goffs UK, for their support."

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