York Racecourse is delighted to announce a record prize fund of £10m for the eighteen days of the 2022 season.

As part of York’s ongoing commitment to attract the best horses to the Knavesmire and support British racing, this investment is some £1.2m higher than the pre pandemic season of 2019 and surpasses the equivalent figure for last year by £2.4m.

Every race will be worth at least £15,000, with significant increases on all racedays over a broad range of contests. The impact of the above means that every meeting will offer at least £150,000 in reward to connections.

As examples of specific races to benefit, both the Group One Darley Yorkshire Oaks and Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes are set to reach £500,000. Whilst the Group Two Sky Bet City of York Stakes will run for Group One prize money of £400,000. Alongside this, are Britain’s richest flat handicap, maiden, nursery handicap and juvenile Group Twos for both fillies and colts. The Group One Juddmonte International, which was the Longines World’s Best race in 2020, will continue to have a £1m purse.

New for 2022 is an ITV Sky Bet Sunday Series raceday on 22 May with a prize fund of £200,000, as well as a new £100,000 EBF Restricted Race Final for colts and geldings on 7 October – the latest and 31st race at York to offer a six-figure purse.

Further investments will be visible in track itself, as well as in the improved facilities for both horses and connections. This will sit alongside further improvements to racegoers facilities, such as a refurbished champagne bar, new disabled viewing platforms, a six-figure investment in racegoer seating, not to mention enough new carpet to cover the equivalent of three tennis courts.

Chairman of York Racecourse, Bridget Guerin said, ”We are incredibly grateful for the support of our sponsors, racegoers and partners that allows York Racecourse to make this bold commitment of £10m in prize money to British Racing. After sharing the challenges of the last two years, we now look forward to welcoming connections to the Knavesmire. I’m confident they will repay this record investment by sending their stars to York for our enthusiastic and knowledgeable racegoers to enjoy. They are assured of a warm Yorkshire welcome.”