New bonus scheme on offer as Arc details prize-money plans for 2022

Bonuses for the winners of divided Class 5 and 6 races on the all-weather and a minimum of £75,000 on offer at jumps fixtures were among the initiatives announced on Thursday as Arena Racing Company (Arc) gave more details of its investment into prize-money in the opening months of 2022.

The announcement, which covers programme book one running from January to the end of April, follows on from Arc's pledge in October to increase its executive contribution to prize-money in 2022 by £4 million to £21.7m.

At that time Arc claimed the sport had missed out on a further £5m in prize-money investment next year due to the breakdown of commercial agreements with the Horsemen's Group, which would have resulted in Arc staging nine-race cards on the all-weather during the winter.

However, on Thursday Arc said that, following further consultation with the Racehorse Owners Association, it would introduce a new initiative at all-weather meetings in the first three months of 2022, in which winning connections of any Class 5 or 6 divided Flat race would receive a £2,500 bonus, along with £150 paid to the yard.

To encourage entries, there will be no entry fee for owners for all Flat races in those classes during February and March.

Arc had already announced changes to the All-Weather Championships, with the Good Friday finals day switching to Newcastle from Lingfield, which would instead stage a £395,000 'Vase' fixture.

Managing director of Arc's racing division, Mark Spincer, said: "Our Flat programme throughout this time will continue to run above minimum values, and we very much look forward to introducing the new bonus for Class 5 and 6 divided races from January, alongside free entry for Flat owners during February and March.

"Equally, we hope the reshaping of Good Friday, with the All-Weather Vase fixture at Lingfield, will give more horses an end-of-season target, and an excellent day out for connections."

Supply chain problems have delayed the reopening of Southwell and its new Tapeta surface, but Flat racing is set to return there on Tuesday with a card that includes the inaugural £40,000 Coral Winter Oaks Trial.

Spincer added: "Feedback from Monday’s test event at Southwell was overwhelmingly positive, and we look forward to racing on what we believe will be a world-class surface from December 7.

"Southwell will be in a position to welcome horses who may not have travelled there before, and we hope the investment into the Flat programme there will encourage ongoing support of the course."

ROA president Charlie Parker described Arc's package as "a very welcome initiative".

He added: "As we look to continue growing our sport and ownership in the UK, initiatives and investment such as this will play a vital role.

"The significant step up in prize-money from 2019 is welcome and we are delighted to have worked on the new bonus for owners in the divided Class 5 and 6 races. The waiving of entry fees will allow the races to be targeted more easily and hopefully unlock the bonus."

Over jumps Arc said that all its meetings in the first quarter of next year would carry a minimum of £75,000 in total prize-money.

Further details also emerged of Lingfield's two new jumps days worth £765,000 as part of the first Winter Million fixture at the end of January.

Feature races across the two days will include a £100,000 Class 2 handicap hurdle over two miles, a £100,000 Class 2 hurdle over 2m3½f and a class two chase over 2m6f worth £150,000.

Other events will include novice chases over 2m and 2m7½f worth £50,000 apiece and a £40,000 bumper.

Read more:

£5m prize-money row erupts as negotiations between Arc and horsemen break down

All-Weather Championship Finals Day to move to Newcastle from 2022

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