The Curragh announce increase in Irish Derby prize money

The Curragh have announced a number of initiatives, including a €250,000 increase in prize money, as they look to guarantee a stellar field for the 2016 Irish Derby.

The winner of the Group One race, won in 2015 by the John Gosden trained Jack Hobbs, will receive €870,000 this year, with overall prize money reaching a record €1.5 million.

There will also be an extension of “The Win and You’re In” initiative, which was introduced last year and gives the winners and certain places of key domestic and international races a refund on their Irish Derby entry fee.

The winner and horses who are placed second, third and fourth in the Irish 2000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and Prix du Jockey Club will have any entry or supplementary entry fee that has been paid by them refunded should they run in the Irish Derby.

General manager of The Curragh Paul Hensey said: "We have identified the key races which should generate runners for this year's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and we hope that this exciting initiative in addition to the increase in prize money for the 2016 renewal will maximise the potential for us to encourage owners and trainers to be part of Ireland's greatest and most valuable horse race."