Kelso announce boost to prize-money for next year

Kelso Racecourse, where total annual prize money will exceed £1.5 million for the first time in 2022, has committed to prize funds which will significantly exceed minimum values at all 15 scheduled fixtures.

The prize fund for the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle, staged on Saturday 5th March, will increase by 33% to £100,000. The additional bonus of £100,000, won last season by The Shunter, will be offered to the winner once again if they can follow up by winning any race at the Cheltenham Festival.

The most valuable hurdle race in Scotland, the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle is the feature event on a seven-race programme that will carry more than £260,000 in prize money. The Grade 2 bet365 Premier Novices Hurdle, won last season by My Drogo, and the Listed bet365 Premier Steeplechase, won by Cloth Cap in preparation for the Grand National, will both have total prize funds of £50,000.

Three new race series will culminate in finals at Kelso on Saturday 26th March when total prize money for the day will exceed £200,000. The Cab On Target 2½ mile Handicap Hurdle Final and the Jodami National Hunt Flat Race Final are both part of the Racing Post Go North series of races carrying £30,000 of prize money. Meanwhile, the Herring Queen Mares Only Novices Hurdle Final will carry a prize fund of £50,000 and will be open to mares qualified in races staged throughout Britain.

Subject to Levy Board funding remaining consistent throughout the year, all Class 3 chases and handicap hurdles at Kelso will be advertised at £15,000 or more, while all Class 4 chases will be worth £10,000 and Class 4 hurdle races £9,000. Class 5 chases and hurdles will be worth £7,500 and £7,000 respectively. While hunterchases will be subject to a separate rate-card, the course’s Corinthian Cup will increase in value to £12,000.

On behalf of bet365, Pat Cooney said “We are delighted to sponsor Kelso’s most valuable meeting of the year and look forward to some really competitive action. In our first year of sponsorship, the introduction of the £100,000 bonus for the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle really added spice, so we’re delighted to help Kelso increase the total prize value again this season.”

Managing Director Jonathan Garratt said, “Kelso Racecourse is a not-for-profit company and our purpose is to promote National Hunt racing for the benefit of all the industry’s stakeholders as well as our local community. The board consciously supports the development of an aspirational race programme for the North and we hope this commitment will offer encouragement to all racehorse owners, but especially to those that have their horses trained in our region. The programme for bet365 Morebattle Hurdle Day is particularly exciting.”

Welcoming the enhanced minimum values for races Ken McGarrity, the Scottish based Director of the Racehorse Owners Association Board, said “Kelso’s commitment to prize money has been recognised by owners for a number of years and it was notable that, even during lockdown, the majority of races continued to be staged at well above minimum values. One of the really positive aspects of this announcement is that it will support owners across the whole spectrum, with opportunities for all horses from Class 1 to Class 5.”