Massive Boost To Darley July Cup Prize Money

Thanks to a 44% prize money increase, the Darley July Cup (Group 1), to be run on Newmarket´s July Course on Friday 14th July, will remain the most valuable sprint race in Europe in 2006 and will for the first time become the richest race run at Newmarket.

It was announced today that the six-furlong contest, which year after year highlights Europe´s champion sprinter, will have a total prize fund of £360,000 (up from £250,000 last year).

Michael Prosser, Newmarket´s Clerk of the Course, said: 'With its ideal mid-July slot in the racing calendar, the Darley July Cup is long established as Europe´s premier sprint race and both we and our long-standing sponsor, Darley, felt it was important for the race´s value to continue to reflect the status that it has earned over many years.

Ascot have made a big increase to the value of the Golden Jubilee Stakes this year, so we are extremely grateful to Darley for investing in the race with us to keep the Darley July Cup at the top of the European pile.

'With the Darley July Cup coming 20 days after the Golden Jubilee, the two races make a fantastic, dual Group One target not only for Europe´s top sprinters, but for star sprinters from all over the world, as the Australian champion, Choisir, proved with his valiant attempt to win both races three years ago.

With over £700,000 - or some 1.25 million US dollars - in combined prize money now on offer for the two races, there has never been such an alluring pot of gold for sprinters to aim at in Europe.'