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Royal Ascot prize money slashed

Royal AscotRoyal Ascot
© Photo Healy Racing

Ascot Racecourse today confirmed that prize money for Royal Ascot, 16th to 20th June 2020, will total £3,680,000.

This represents a significant drop from last year of almost 50% with 2019 prize money totaling £7.3 million.

All eight Group One races will be run for £250,000 with no race at the newly formatted 36 race meeting (30 in regular years) run for less than £35,000.

Guy Henderson, Chief Executive at Ascot Racecourse, said:

"2020 was set to be a landmark year for Royal Ascot prize money. However, these unprecedented times have intervened. We have sought to respond by producing an enhanced programme of racing this year to maximise opportunities to participate and which in its own way will deliver an exciting and memorable Royal Meeting.

"Some 70% of our annual income comes from public admissions, including hospitality, and producing in excess of three and a half million pounds in prize money in the current circumstances would not have been possible without the support and commitment of our wonderful Official Partners QIPCO and Longines, for which we are all deeply grateful and express our sincere thanks on behalf of everyone involved."

All 36 races will be shown on the Sky Sports Racing channel.

With no early closing races operating this year, all races will close at the six-day stage and entry fees will be as normal, beginning at 1.25% for Group One races.