Royal Scandal lands 500th Great British Bonus prize with Kempton success

The Great British Bonus scheme paid out its 500th prize when Royal Scandal won the fillies' novice contest at Kempton on Wednesday evening.

Launched in June 2020 by the Thoroughbred Breeders Association (TBA), the bonus is funded mostly through the Levy Board and registration fees. In just two years it has paid out more than £6.8 million - 65 per cent of which has been awarded to owners.

Royal Scandal is a homebred of Tim Vestey and is the third foal out of British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes winner Seal Of Approval, a half-sister to the dam of last year's St Leger and Irish Derby hero Hurricane Lane.

Trained by James Fanshawe, she secured a £20,000 bonus for her connections having previously won a £10,000 bonus in a maiden at Newcastle in May on her debut. This £30,000 added to her £13,000 prize-money means her earnings currently stand at a little over £43,000.

Vestey said: “Royal Scandal has now won two GBB races, securing £30,000 in bonuses, which is a fantastic turnaround in a filly’s earnings from a just a couple of years ago.

"The scheme is a huge incentive to race fillies and makes the news of a filly foal a much more positive event for a breeder.”

Fanshawe added: “We're delighted to have won another GBB bonus with Royal Scandal. GBB is a real financial boost for the owner-breeder; it means if you have a progressive filly like Royal Scandal, owners can be making notable returns on their investment - my staff and I are appreciative of a share too!

"We’ll be looking for a couple more GBB fillies at this year’s sales.”

Philip Newton, deputy chairman of the TBA, said: “GBB has several objectives, one of which is to increase the appeal for GBB-registered fillies and mares in the sale ring.

"We’re now approaching the time of year when the smart breeders who have registered their fillies are ready to make the most of the value and we wish them all well.”

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