'Valuable contributor' British EBF to provide £1.8 million towards prize-money

The British European Breeders’ Fund (EBF) has renewed its financial contribution to racing in Britain, pledging £1.8 million of prize-money enhancements to the Flat and National Hunt.

Mostly made up of contributions from the income of stallions standing in each EBF country, the British EBF has provided prize-money enhancements to domestic racing for more than 30 years.

Over 590 races were run under EBF conditions last year, receiving £1,430,250 of funding, which made up 22.5 per cent of the total prize-money of £6,358,360. A further £10,000 was received by owners through the increased use of EBF-sponsored number cloths in feature races.

British EBF chairman Simon Sweeting said: "Last year was tough for everyone but we were delighted to be able to get more than £1.5 million into prize-money, even with a truncated race programme.

"The relative strength of the stallion market means that we've been able to maintain our commitment to racing’s prize-money in 2021, when we know the effects of the last year will be felt keenly. We hope by the careful budgeting and strategy of the British EBF team we will be able to provide a certain amount of continuity, and continue to elevate prize-money wherever we can.”

Richard Wayman, the BHA's chief operating officer, said: "The European Breeders' Fund continues to be a valuable contributor to British racing. This was highlighted during 2020, when races with EBF conditions received over £1.4 million of funding as a direct result of their support.

“With financial enhancements focused between Class 4 and Listed level, this renewed pledge is very welcome at a critical time for British racing."

British EBF race planning committee member Sam Bullard added: “We're constantly assessing our portfolio of races and how we support them; we work closely with the BHA and racecourses to identify new funding opportunities and are happy to support a much needed new conditions race for three-year-olds to be debuted at Goodwood’s May fixture.

Cracksman: European champion was the winner of an EBF Future Stayers’ MaidenCredit: Mark Cranham

"We're also keen to back projects that provide specific developmental opportunities. A great example of this are the hugely successful British EBF Future Stayers’ races. Designed to give juvenile maiden and novice opportunities for horses with middle and staying distance pedigrees, they have produced a runners to subsequent black-type winners ratio of nine per cent.”

The EBF also welcomed Jono Mills to the trusteeship for 2021 to replace Bullard, who steps down as Darley representative but will remain on both the Flat and National Hunt race planning committees.

Mills said: "Races championed by the European Breeders’ Fund have been stepping-stones for the careers of recent Godolphin stars such as Group 1 winners Royal Marine and Ghaiyyath, as well as Darley stallions such as Cracksman.

"I’m looking forward to learning more about this important industry organisation and representing Darley stallions as one of the largest contributors to the EBF fund.”

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