'A really exciting initiative' - Irish Cesarewitch now worth a whopping €600,000

The Irish Cesarewitch will be one of the richest races run in Ireland this year after the Curragh contest had its prize-money boosted by over half a million euro to €600,000.

The staying handicap was worth €80,000 in 2021 with the John Kiely-trained Line Out landing the spoils under Shane Foley, but the Supporters of the Curragh have committed to three years of sponsorship to the event and opened their wallets.

The Friends of the Curragh Irish Cesarewitch, as it will be known for the next three years, will be run over 2m on September 25 with a maximum of 30 runners rated no higher than 110. The race is open to three-year-olds and upwards.

The winners of several premier handicaps run over further than 1m4f will get exemption from balloting out should they remain in the race at the final forfeit stage, and the event will take place on the second day of a new two-day Autumn Festival at the Curragh with the Goffs Million being the feature race on day one.

The Curragh's chief executive Brian Kavanagh paid special tribute to former Horse Racing Ireland chairman Joe Keeling for coming up with the idea.

Kavanagh said: "This is a really exciting initiative and we are delighted to stage such a high-value race. Joe's passion for and commitment to the Curragh is palpable and he is the driving force behind the creation of this race.

"We hope that trainers and owners from Ireland and overseas will target this race and we look forward to a full field doing battle over the Curragh's longest distance."

Former HRI chairman Joe Keeling: 'His passion for and commitment to the Curragh is palpable and he is the driving force behind the creation of this race'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Jason Morris, head of strategic projects and racing at HRI, believes such a lucrative handicap is a big step in the right direction with regard to retaining stamina-laden horses.

Morris said: "HRI is hugely appreciative of the significant sponsorship that has enabled the development of this high-value staying handicap. Coming two weeks after the Irish St Leger, it means Ireland will offer a range of valuable late-season targets for quality staying horses.

"The Friends of the Curragh Irish Cesarewitch is also an important further step in the European initiative to encourage the breeding, ownership and retention of stamina-laden horses, which has seen significant enhancements to the Flat staying race programme throughout Europe in recent years."

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