Irish EBF to increase Sponsorship to €2.5 million

Fri 22 May 2020

One Cool Poet winning Irish EBF Northfields Handicap at the Curragh, 15th September, 2019 Photo Healy Racing Photography

Irish racing’s largest sponsor, Irish European Breeders’ Fund, have today reinforced their commitment to Irish racing by increasing their allocation of prize-money to €2,500,000 for 2020.

Irish EBF are working closely with Horse Racing Ireland to support the restart of racing on June 8^th by ensuring all funds, including those not distributed during the suspension of racing, are allocated and the remaining prize-money is assigned with a focus on grassroots races throughout the rest of the year. €2,500,000 will be the highest annual contribution to Irish racing since the foundation of the Irish European Breeders’ Fund in 1983.

John O’Connor, Chairman, Irish EBF, said; “Prize-money is the lifeblood of racing and supports owners, trainers, jockeys and stable staff and for that reason the Irish EBF, which is funded by stallion farms, has decided to increase its allocation to HRI for 2020 to assist HRI in trying to replace the lost opportunities for all the participants in Irish racing during the Covid-19 suspension of racing. We will encourage all of our co-sponsors to continue to support the Irish racing industry at this crucial time when the industry is facing its greatest ever challenge.”

Jason Morris, HRI Director of Racing, said; “The Irish EBF have long been staunch supporters of Irish racing and as we work towards the resumption of racing, it is reassuring to know that they will be there when needed.”

Irish European Breeders’ Fund is funded by contributions from Irish stallion farms and have regularly made annual contributions to Irish racing of over €2 million supporting both flat and national hunt races. For the last number of years, highlights of the Irish EBF flat programme include the popular Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction series, fillies only handicaps which provide valuable opportunities along with the traditional strong support of two and three year old maidens. 2020 sees the introduction of a series of median races, where connections of two-year-old’s can compete for valuable prize-money and the exciting new Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes worth €200,000 to be run at Naas racecourse on August 3^rd.

ENDS –

For Further Information:

Nessa Joyce, Manager, Irish European Breeders’ Fund

Greenhills, Kill, Naas, Co Kildare, W91 FY62

M: +353 85 7590970, E: info@irishebf.ie Twitter & Facebook: @IrishEBF

www.ebfstallions.com

British EBF commitment to prize money unwavering in face of Covid-19

Wed 6 May 2020

The British European Breeders’ Fund (British EBF), which supports over 600 flat races a year, renewed its commitment to racing today. The trustees intend to honour the £1.68million of prize money enhancements originally allocated to flat races in 2020, with a focus on the initial stages of resumption using the funds accrued during racing’s suspension.

This will provide a much-needed boost to the sport, with the reassurance that both in the initial stages and the longer-term programme, extra money will be available, in the form of EBF prize money contributions.

Simon Sweeting, Chairman of the British EBF commented:

“We are committed to supporting as many races within our remit as practical to help the sport back on its feet as quickly as possible. We are aware of how significant our £1.68million is to the industry this season and we are working to make sure it gets in to the system effectively. We will use money not spent during the cessation of racing to support additional races during the first month or so of the resumption. We know our additional funding is needed by owners and trainers and we want to assure them that the British EBF is here to help at every opportunity.”

Looking ahead, the British EBF is making plans to provide support for an extended flat programme in to November and December, ensuring appropriate support is offered throughout the season.

The British EBF makes annual prize money contributions of over £1.6million to flat racing. These are strategically focused towards developmental races and the support of specific areas (such as opportunities for fillies), deemed to be of overall benefit to the longevity of the industry and the breed.  The trustees, mindful of the changed landscape in the wake of Covid-19, are considering all options for the provision of the best possible support of racing through prize money investment on its resumption.

The trustees expressed their appreciation to stallion owners as contributors to the fund.

Sweeting added: “They have worked tirelessly to make sure their covering sheds are open for business and provided flexible options to support breeders. The British EBF is generously funded by stallion owners and the importance of their contributions to us, especially now, cannot be overstated.”