The prize money for this year's Cazoo Derby has been set at £1,125,000, with an 11% boost in the prize funds for the 11 non-Group One races, meaning that no contest over the two days will be worth less than £40,000.
Jockey Club Racecourses have also announced a boost to the prize money to the 2021 Coral-Eclipse Stakes, raised to £600,000, and increases to other races on the day (Saturday July 3) that will see total prize money on the day upped by 18%.
Two handicap contests previously staged 24 hours earlier have been added to the Eclipse card to make it an eight-race programme.
Andrew Cooper, Head of Racing and Clerk of the Course at Epsom Downs and Sandown Park, said: “It has been a difficult time for us at The Jockey Club, as it has been for everyone, and in several ways that remains the case. Racegoers generate around 50% of our revenues and so with them away from our 15 racecourses for so long our finances have been significantly impacted and remain so as the pandemic continues.
“However, now we are starting to be allowed a very limited number of spectators back, we are immediately taking the opportunity to boost prize money. Therefore, I am pleased to confirm we are able to increase the value of the non-Group One races across both days of The Cazoo Derby Festival by 12% and with the prospect of more spectators at Sandown Park, we’re committing to boost prize money for Coral-Eclipse Day by 18% above currently advertised values.
“Owners who put so much into the sport have been incredibly patient during the pandemic and this period of huge uncertainty. All of us at The Jockey Club are keen that as soon as the financial picture improves, we see that reflected in prize money funding, which is always a top priority at Jockey Club Racecourses.”
