Racecourse announces record prize money ahead of start of the new season

Hamilton Park Racecourse has increased its prize pot to a whopping £978,000 for the 2016 season.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Apr 2016, 16:21 BST
Updated 22nd Apr 2016, 17:24 BST
There is extra incentive to do well at Hamilton Park this seasonThere is extra incentive to do well at Hamilton Park this season
There is extra incentive to do well at Hamilton Park this season

The figure is an eight percent increase on last year and comes on the back of the announcement of a £200,000 investment in the course.

More than three quarters of the prize money increase has been invested in Class 4, 5 and 6 races to support racing at grass roots level, whilst feature races such as the EBF Glasgow Stakes will see increased prize money to continue to attract some of the biggest names in the sport and individual race prize money this season will range from £4,500 to £42,000.

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The winter months witnessed intense activity and precision planning ahead of the launch of the new season with the racecourse also bolstering its award winning grounds team with the appointment of one of the sport’s brightest talents – new full-time racing manager Sulekha Varma.

She said: “It is really pleasing to be able to announce a significant increase in prize money going into my first season at Hamilton.

“The track has wintered well and is improving with warmer weather we are now experiencing and I am looking forward to my first race meeting, an exciting £86,000 card, on May 1.

“Much of the increase has been focussed at Class 4-6 races, a level at which I believe the extra investment will be very welcome by horsemen, whilst also ensuring our Class 1-3 races remain competitive and attractive.

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“Hamilton Park has always been proud of its investment into prize money and support of racing at all levels. 2016 will be no different with more opportunities than ever for the owners and trainers of horse of all ages and abilities to join us for a day of racing.

“Our aim at Hamilton Park is to ensure all of our customers leave Hamilton Park looking forward to and planning their next visit, whether they’ve won or not”.

The season opens on Sunday, May 1, with the Sodexo Family Raceday, followed by the Route 74 Truckstop Braveheart Night with Les McKeown’s Bay City Rollers on May 13, while the Super Saturday series gets underway with the Highland Show Racenight on July 9.

For more information on Hamilton Park Racecourse’s facilities and fixtures click here

Ticket prices may vary and entry is free to all under 18s (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult).