£200,000 British EBF 2yo Series Announced

Mon 11 Apr 2022

In 2021, the British EBF (European Breeders’ Fund), became Britain’s largest sponsor, allocating £1.7million to over 750 flat races.  This contribution accounted for over 17% of the total prize money available in races run with EBF conditions.

An extra £100,000 of prize money has been allocated in 2022 to produce the British EBF 2yo Series; a programme of races which provides progeny of middle market stallions opportunities to develop through their 2yo career and have meaningful, high-value, end of season targets. 

The advent of the Restricted novice and maiden races, where horses are allocated a band to race within depending on their auction and median-auction value, provided a means through which to achieve this.

The Trustees of the British EBF were keen to identify ways to encourage a new avenue for progeny of commercially priced stallions to compete without an expensive series of early closing deadlines.  The accessibility of the series to owners with middle market horses is central to its purpose.

The finals are staged at Grade 1 independent racecourses, widely acknowledged as promoting developmental races and providing excellent prize money.  Goodwood and York both pledged the full financial support requested by the British EBF in their tender process; match-funding the £100,000 British EBF prize money contribution.

Holding the finals between early September and early October, will encourage winning owners and trainers to re-invest the prizemoney at the yearling sales.

Structure:

Any EBF eligible 2yos can race in one of over 100 EBF Restricted Novice/ Maiden races during the 2022 GB flat season.  If they finish in the first 6, they will be eligible to enter 1 of 2 finals staged in the early Autumn. See the list of qualifiers here.

The 7-furlong finals have been divided by sex, with a fillies’ race at Goodwood on Tuesday 6 September and one for colts and geldings at York on Friday 7 October.  2 finals maximise the number of horses eligible to run for the £100,000 prizes and removes the need to add further allowances.

These high-value opportunities are designed to be as accessible as possible which precipitated the British EBF Trustees’ decision not to programme them as early closing races.  They will carry the standard one-off entry fee for races of that class run at their respective courses.

Quotes:

Simon Sweeting, Chairman British EBF:

“With a reduction in racing in 2020, came a small surplus of funds for the British EBF.  The Trustees were keen to make sure that this money was re-focused to do the maximum good it could for the industry.  This series not only provides tantalising prize money targets but also aims to add the EBF’s weight to encouraging owners to re-invest at the yearling sales.  With no early closing stages and over 100 chances to qualify a horse, we hope that owners and trainers will support this new initiative.  We are looking forward to 2 highly competitive finals in the Autumn.”

Edward Arkell, Goodwood Racecourse:

‘’Goodwood is thrilled to be working with the British EBF on an industry leading initiative for 2YOs. Hosting the £100,000 Fillies final underlines Goodwood’s commitment to development races, the wider health of the industry and prizemoney returns to horsemen. This series provides the progeny of middle market stallions with a substantial end of season target which we are delighted to host. We have no doubt the finals will develop into one of racing’s end of season highlights.’’

William Derby, York Racecourse Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course:

“We are delighted that the European Breeders’ Fund have chosen York and Goodwood as the partner venues for the finals of this new initiative.  We are pleased to be staging the new, £100,000 Final for Colts and Geldings on the Knavesmire on Friday 7 October.  We all share a commitment to British Racing and are pleased to have created the two new six figure targets for juveniles who finish in the first six places of qualifying EBF Restricted Races.  Modern sport is about creating development pathways for emerging talent and this innovative series seeks to further reward owners, horsemen and breeders as well as creating compelling and competitive racing. It is a great option for younger horses and potentially those connections who are in the early stages of their experience of our sport.”

David Menuisier, International Gr.1 winning trainer, local to Goodwood commented:

‘’The British EBF has created a series that all trainers will want to have horses running in. It is a great initiative for middle market horses and gives them a valuable end of season target. The Finals being normal closing races makes a big difference and prevents a slower developing horse from being penalised. I will certainly be aiming horses at the Finals and very much hope to be at Goodwood and York with runners in them.’’

Kevin Ryan has enjoyed huge success for over 25 years in unearthing progressive future stars at the sales and breeze ups. He has a tremendous track record with juveniles as well as horses who then graduate to Pattern success.  From his North Yorkshire Hambleton base, he said:

“This is a tremendous initiative by the British EBF to link their restricted maiden and novice races to two brand new £100,000 finals in the autumn.  With Goodwood staging the six-figure final for fillies and York the final for colts and geldings, it looks set to give a great boost to owners of these horses with a valuable end of season target.  Such initiatives are a great reward for owners who have supported the industry through the pandemic and give great optimism for the flat season ahead. We very much look forward to competing in both the series and, hopefully, both finals with our current crop of two-year-olds who are shaping up nicely for the season ahead.”