Juddmonte International prize-money cut to £275,000 as York prepares to return

The devastating impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on big-race prize-money was underlined on Monday when York revealed this year’s Group 1 Juddmonte International will be worth £275,000 instead of the intended £1 million.

The Derby, won by Serpentine on Saturday, had its race value cut to £500,000 from £1.5m, while all eight Group 1s at Royal Ascot were reduced to £250,000, as were last weekend’s other major races, the Oaks and the Coral-Eclipse.

At York, the Sky Bet Ebor had also been due to be worth £1m but will be run for only a quarter of that this year, while also pitched at £250,000 are the Darley Yorkshire Oaks (programmed to be run for £400,000) and Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (down from £450,000).

York, which has a well-founded reputation for generous prize-money, makes a welcome return to the racing landscape on Thursday with the staging of the delayed Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes and Tattersalls Musidora Stakes headlining an ITV4-televised card.

York makes its comeback behind closed doors on Thursday

The course's chairman Teddy Grimthorpe said: “We are delighted to be back racing at York, albeit initially behind closed doors. Despite challenging circumstances for all, we have tried to put our best foot forward with an incredibly exciting race programme and an investment in prize-money well above industry agreed levels.

“We are hugely appreciative and grateful for the wonderful support of our sponsors, annual badgeholders, partners and all who make York racecourse so special. While we look forward to the day we can welcome the return of spectators and supporters to York racecourse, in the meantime I hope people will follow and enjoy the sport on their televisions and mobile devices.”

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