British Midsummer Bonus set up to tempt international runners

Ascot, Goodwood and York have teamed up to offer bonuses of up to £1million to connections of horses trained outside of Europe who challenge for three of the biggest Group One prizes of the British summer.

The British Midsummer Bonus will be available to trainers and owners sending horses for both the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, with the £1m prize secured should the winners of both races hail from the same stable or run in the same colours.

If the horses are placed in both races, a £250,000 bonus will be paid and there is a further enhancement to the cash on offer to winners of either the King George or Sussex Stakes, as York will pay a £250,000 appearance fee should such victors then run in the Juddmonte International.

Any horse placed in the Ascot or Goodwood contests that also goes on to run at York will get a £150,000 fee for turning up on the Knavesmire, with £50,000 available for all horses travelling under the scheme and running in the 10-furlong feature.

Nick Smith, director of racing and public affairs at Ascot, said: “We have been collectively considering how to maximise global attention on the midsummer period in Britain, when there are less major overseas events taking part than at other times of the year.

“The thinking behind the Midsummer Bonus is that the opening races are, effectively, the same week, and this presents an opportunity to promote the whole week and all its international options as one entity.

“By linking the high-summer flagship races at Ascot, Goodwood and York and promoting them together, with bonuses, we are hoping that there is a greater incentive to travel horses to the UK for this significant spell of racing, with seven Group Ones.”

The Middle East is counted as European for the purposes of the scheme, but challengers from the likes of Australia, America and Japan would qualify.

Yoshito Yahagi, the leading Japanese trainer who has bagged Breeders’ Cup prizes, a Saudi Cup and the Cox Plate outside of his homeland, would be eager to have a crack at the new bonus.

He said: “I am excited to hear the news about this original bonus scheme, which is very attractive for owners and trainers in Japan.

“Ascot, Goodwood and York racecourses are adored by Japanese trainers, and this new scheme will certainly mean we give consideration to the venture when we plan our international programme.

“I hope I can become the first trainer to win the King George and Sussex Stakes in the same year.”