IHA ANNOUNCES BIG PRIZEMONEY INCREASE

The Irish Horseracing Authority today announced a near #5 million increase in prizemoney for the upcoming Flat season.

A number of Group Ones will receive substantial boosts including the Tattersalls Gold Cup, Irish St Leger and Irish Champion Stakes.

The minimum value of Group Two and Three races has been increased by #20,000. The minimum value of Group Three races is now #80,000 with Group Twos #55,000. Listed races will now be worth a minimum of #40,000 - an increase of #15,000.

Top Handicaps have also received a cash boost with Premier Handicaps increased by #15,000 and Premier Nurseries by #13,000. Other two-year-old nurseries and maidens will receive increases of a least #5,000.

Two and three-year-old maidens on Grade 1 tracks will have minimum values of #12,500 - up #6,000. Winners races will be increased by between #5,000 and #8,5000.

For all other races the minimum value will be raised from #6,500 to #10,000 at all category 1 tracks, from #6,000 to #8,5000 at category 2 tracks and from #5,000 to #7,000 at category 3 tracks.

Tattersalls Gold Cup - #100,000 to #200,000
Jefferson Smurfit Memorial St Leger - #175,000 to #225,000
Independent/Waterford Wedgewood Stakes - #175,000 to #225,000
Moyglare Stud Stakes - #175,000 to #225,000
Aga Khan National Stakes - #200,000 to #250,000
Irish Champion Stakes - #780,000 to #825,000