The King’s Stand Stakes (20/6/06) and the Golden Jubilee Stakes (24/6/06) will be run for £200,000 and £350,000 respectively next year, a combined increase of £160,000 on 2005 values for Ascot’s legs of the Global Sprint Challenge.
“We are working with our partners in Australia, Japan and Hong Kong to promote the challenge to interested parties, including the connections of Silent Witness, who have been talking about a potential tilt at the series since winning the final leg of this year’s series in Japan,” said Douglas Erskine-Crum, Chief Executive at Ascot.
“We have brought forward confirmation of the increases to our Royal Meeting sprint races so that the series, which starts in Australia in February, can be effectively promoted now, including in Asia around the Hong Kong International races next month.
“Having seen several high profile international successes at Ascot’s fixtures recently, it is more important than ever to build on that through investment in promotions such as the Global Sprint Challenge and through prize money. At £350,000, the Golden Jubilee Stakes is worth more than any sprint race run in Europe in 2005. The straight track has been completely reconstructed as part of the £200 million redevelopment of the racecourse and is now a fitting stage for Europe’s most valuable Group One sprint.
“We will confirm the full order of running and prize money for Royal Ascot in due course.”
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