Lingfield to stage a Good Friday fixture

Lingfield will stage a £1million meeting on Good Friday after Arena Racing reached agreement with the British Horseracing Authority over contribution to prize money in 2014.

Arena Racing Company (ARC) will contribute £11.3million to prize money in 2014, an increase of £2.2million, and that has paved the way for the new flagship meeting.

Paul Bittar, Chief Executive of the BHA, said: "I am pleased that we have been able to agree terms with ARC, although it is unfortunate that ARC felt unable to sign up to the three-year Prize Money Agreement developed by the Horsemen's Group and BHA.

"We considered it in the best interests of the sport and its participants to secure a commitment to prize money in 2014 from ARC. This agreement will deliver a substantial increase in ARC's contribution for 2014, an amount at least equal to what they would have made under a Prize Money Agreement, while also delivering ARC certainty over plans for their all-weather programme and Good Friday.

"We welcome ARC's ambitious plans for staging this valuable fixture at Lingfield Park and, together with Great British Racing, we look forward to working with them to make the day a success for racing from all perspectives."

Tony Kelly, Managing Director of ARC, said: "We are pleased to confirm our on-going commitment to prize money in a deal which brings benefits to the Horsemen, the BHA and ourselves. ARC's contribution to prize money rose by 18% in 2013 and will increase by a further 24% in 2014.

"The terms of our agreement with BHA means we can plan ahead for 2014 with much greater certainty. We have exciting plans for the All Weather programme and the clarity we now have with regard to fixture numbers will enable us to fulfil our commitments to increasing prize money."

Following the BHA's decision to delay signing off the full Fixture List, 17 further courses have signed Prize Money Agreements or made specific commitments to their prize money contribution.