The Championships prizemoney cut
Racing NSW has slashed the prizemoney for The Championships, including halving the money on offer for the eight Group 1 races set to be contested at Randwick over the next two weeks.
The dramatic step has been taken as thoroughbred racing feels the impact of the global crisis caused by the outbreak of coronavirus, which has crippled economies and provided unprecedented challenges for all industries.
Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club were determined to proceed with The Championships, pending the ongoing approval from the National Cabinet, but could only do so by reducing the prizemoney for the top 10 races.
The Championships will continue with the prizemoney of the top 10 races halved
“Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club have agreed that in response to the unprecedented challenges arising from the coronavirus, prizemoney for The Star Championships will need to be reduced,” a Racing NSW statement said.
“The main source of funding for prizemoney is wagering which will be significantly reduced by the current lockdowns of pubs, clubs and TAB retail agencies.
“Other sources of funding for prizemoney, being on-course attendances and sponsorship have also been severely impacted given the public is not currently permitted to attend race meetings.
“Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club have agreed that in response to the unprecedented challenges arising from the coronavirus, prizemoney for The Star Championships will need to be reduced." - Racing NSW
“Racing NSW has focused on a number of strategic imperatives over the past years, including the establishment of a Future Fund, so as to enable the NSW Racing Industry to continue in the face of such challenges.
“However, it is important that those cash reserves be maintained for as long as possible, so as to fund the industry as a whole given the uncertainty as to how long the challenges and restrictions arising from coronavirus will continue.”
| G1 Doncaster Mile | $3,000,000 | $1,500,000 |
| G1 TJ Smith | $2,500,000 | $1,250,000 |
| G1 ATC Derby | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| G1 Inglis Sires’ | $1,000,000 | $500,000 |
| Country Championships | $500,000 | $400,000 |
| G1 Queen Elizabeth S. | $4,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| G1 Sydney Cup | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| G1 Australian Oaks | $1,000,000 | $500,000 |
| G1 Coolmore Legacy | $1,000,000 | $500,000 |
| G2 Arrowfield Sprint | $1,000,000 | $500,000 |
| G2 Percy Sykes | $1,000,000 | $500,000 |
| Provincial Championships | $500,000 | $400,000 |
All other races run over the two days will be run for their originally advertised prizemoney.
RQ confirms zoned structure funding
Racing Queensland has confirmed the prizemoney structure for its new zoned racing which will begin on Tuesday.
The state's racing has been divided into five different zones, with horses, trainers and jockeys needing to remain within the zones for the foreseeable future if they wish to participate.
The two zones in the south-east of the state will compete for similar prizemoney, with runners trained at the Gold Coast and Toowoomba to compete at similar levels as those trained at Eagle Farm and Caloundra.
Gold Coast's meeting on Friday will have three races worth $65,000, two at $50,000, two at $35,000 and two at $27,500, while QTIS bonuses while be paid on selected races.
Eagle Farm on Saturday will be the same, but with an additional $65,000 race programmed.
Sunshine Coast, which hosts a meeting on Wednesday, has prizemoney ranging from $21,000 to $30,000 as will the Toowoomba meeting next Sunday.
Meanwhile, Cairns has eight races on Thursday valued at $17,000 each, while Mackay, which kicks the new system off on Tuesday will have 10 races at that same level.
Horses have to be in their designated zone by midnight on Sunday.
Racing Queensland has already confirmed it has cancelled its Winter Carnival for 2020 and will race under this structure until government advice changes.
Latest from the USA
Courtesy TDN America
Jockeys, agents on restricted access at Santa Anita
In an effort to resume live racing at Santa Anita as promptly as possible, starting Monday, March 30, jockeys will not be permitted on the track’s backstretch and agents will be asked to stay off the grounds, according to a text circulated among the horsemen by track officials Saturday morning.
This followed a sudden announcement Friday – with first post time looming – that Santa Anita, in accordance with Los Angeles County Health Department, would temporarily close for live racing “effective immediately” as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
That same day, California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT) subsequently sent a message to the horsemen that read, “We are hoping this will be a short interruption, as we continue to discuss with the County on the resumption of races we will continue with our regular training schedule until further notice.”
Aqueduct gets hospital go-ahead
Aqueduct will be re-purposed as a temporary hospital, and racing will not resume there again at the winter or spring meets, according to a press release from the New York Racing Association Saturday afternoon. When racing does resume, it is expected to be at Belmont Park, which is currently scheduled to open April 24.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo raised the possibility of making Aqueduct a temporary hospital at his press briefing Friday, and said he would seek the required permission from the federal government to serve the borough of Queens with a 1000-plus patient overflow facility at the track. Cuomo has set a goal for New York State to provide COVID-19 patient overflow facilities in each New York City borough as well as Westchester, Rockland, Nassau and Suffolk counties.
On Saturday, Governor Cuomo announced that New York State had received the approval to move forward with the temporary hospital at Aqueduct Racetrack as well as locations in Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Bronx.
Latest from Europe, UK and Ireland
Courtesy TDN Europe
Arqana Breeze Up Sale set to be rescheduled
The Arqana Breeze Up Sale, which released its catalogue earlier this week, could be rescheduled for either June 3 or 4 depending on the COVID-19 situation, the sales company announced on Saturday.
Currently, the sale is slated for May 9, with breezes to take place the day prior. This format would be maintained if the sale is moved to early June. Deauville Racecourse will continue to play host for the breezes, regardless of when it is actually conducted.
“In the midst of a crisis that is affecting us all, we are looking to adapt to the constraints and offer the best possible conditions for our vendors and buyers, therefore we have thought distancing the sale from the general lockdown and suspension of racing would provide a more favorable environment,” said Arqana CEO Eric Hoyeau.
“The situation on the COVID-19 front is still rapidly evolving though, and we will wait until the end of the lockdown is officially announced to firm up this schedule. On behalf of all at Arqana, I would like to take this opportunity to extend a message of support to all those participants of the racing industry whose businesses are being hit by the epidemic.”
