Horse Racing Ireland have announced a record prize money fund of €58.6 million for 2007. Racing's ruling body yesterday detailed a six per cent increase in prize money for the sport compared to this year's estimated fund of €55.1 million.
HRI's contribution in 2007 will be €33.1 million, a €1.6 million increase on 2006.
A total of €1.4 million will go towards funding of 14 additional fixtures including 12 at the new all-weather track at Dundalk which is due to open in the autumn. The Goffs sales races at the Curragh will be boosted in value by €800,000.
HRI also said yesterday the minimum value of Grade One National Hunt races will rise from €65,000 to €100,000 (including sponsorship).
The minimum value of any race run in Ireland in 2007 will be €8,500 which is up €500 from this year.
"There is a particular emphasis on improving the prize money for the highest quality Grade One National Hunt races and the top flat handicaps which will hopefully lead to even more top class horses being campaigned in Ireland in future," said HRI's spokesman, Jason Morris.
In other news, the three tracks, at Navan, Naas and Gowran, have been promoted to Grade One status for jump racing, a reflection of their importance as centres of high quality racing during the winter months.
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