York hoping increased Ebor prize-money will lure overseas raiders
The Ebor prize-money will, next year, be boosted to £1 million ($1.78 million) which almost certainly will have it as the richest Flat handicap in the northern hemisphere and ensure its status as a valued precursor to the world’s richest handicap race at Flemington (boosted, this year, to $7.3 million).
It’s hoped that the increased Ebor prize pool will attract a greater number of international runners, perhaps even from Australia. Plus, the Ebor field capacity, next year, will also be increased to 22 with the track then expecting delivery of a 22 bank starting stall which is being constructed by Adelaide-based company Steriline Racing.
As it is, the width of the York track does not allow more than 20 runners using the existing separate banks of ten stalls.
“We would certainly hope, in the future, that the prize money would be sufficient to attract an Australian-trained horse here perhaps as part of a UK and European tour. We would love a middle-distance or staying horse from Australia to compete at York especially as the Ebor has been very much a stepping stone, virtually a conveyor belt, to the Melbourne Cup.
“While the history extends much further back we have seen that link particularly strong in the past two years with the past two Ebor winners Nakeeta and Heartbreak City both running exceptionally well in the Cup,” Derby said.
Derby said that attracting overseas runners was a valuable publicity generator but also part of the charter of York racecourse.
“I think all racetracks are keen to attract the best to compete and York is no exception. I met the Winx team, this year, as part of the delegation endeavouring to persuade them to come to Europe and we’re also focused on Japan and many other countries.
“We’ve had Ortensia, from Australia, win the Coolmore Nunthorpe in 2012 – a race over the straight, flat five (furlongs) which I think would have been ideal for Redkirk Warrior. David Hayes brought Criterion for the Juddmonte International in 2015 and Zenno Rob Roy came from Japan in 2005 and was just touched off in the Juddmonte by Electrocutionist who went on to win the Dubai World Cup,” he said.
Derby conceded that prize-money levels are not necessarily high enough to unconditionally attract overseas runners but remains committed to the task. “We’re making progress at York, perhaps not progressing as quickly as we would like but our prize-money has increased 50 per cent over the past five years to £8 million for our 18-raceday season.
“Improvements have been made here in the UK and the levy now ensures that all bets generate a return to racing but we also have our challenges with off-course betting shops under pressure through legislative changes. However, I am cautiously optimistic about the future,” he said.
Derby says there is a ‘close relationship’ between York and the VRC (Victoria Racing Club) which will continue to develop.
“I’m sending a senior team member, from York, down to the Melbourne Cup this year so he can learn first hand about how Melbourne Cup week is organised and choreographed from the racing itself to the Cup parade and beyond. It’s a brilliant week and we’d be happy to replicate whatever we can here at York,” he said.
Derby knows ‘very well’ the VRC’s recently appointed executive general Manager of racing, Leigh Jordon, and hopes that connection will further develop the connection between not only the Ebor but also York’s Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup and the Melbourne Cup.
“The process of getting into the Cup in Melbourne is complicated and we’re happy, of course, to work with Leigh and the VRC to assist in European trainers understanding what needs to happen. Perhaps one day we could have the Ebor winner exempt from the ballot for the Cup?” said Derby who’s been a frequent visitor to Flemington since 2010.
As to this year’s York feature August meeting, Derby can look forward to a likely raft of Melbourne Cup contenders contesting the Ebor and a likely high-class renewal of the Juddmonte International which may feature the reappearance of Enable to take on Poet’s Word and high class three-year-olds Saxon Warrior and Roaring Lion.
“Last year it was the equal seventh highest rated race in the world and, of course, it was the highest rated when Frankel won in 2012. This year it also promises to be an excellent edition,” Derby said.
I knew the Kosciusko was coming!
Now there’s a catchy race name if ever there was one.
Personally I’d make the Everest the Kosciusko and the Kosciusko the Townsend, the Twynam, the Tate, the Gungartan or the Jagungai – any one of the five other peaks beyond 2000 metres in New South Wales.
Victoria could follow suit – as if that’s likely – with the (Mount) Bogong. That’s catchy too and it could be the world’s richest maiden race. You can picture the copy now. “Trainer scales heights by claiming Bogong – Kosciusko double.”
From October last year: http://www.anzbloodstocknews.com/feature/melbournian-steve-says-he-enjoys-the-friendly-rivalry-between-his-home-city-and-the-new-south-wales-capital/