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NSW prize money levels restored from July; Racing relics on offer;
NSW prize money levels restored from July
Prize money for New South Wales thoroughbred races will be restored to pre-COVID-19 levels from next month with the state's feature spring race dates also locked in.
Racing NSW has confirmed prize money levels for spring feature races will be maintained with this year's The Everest to be run for $15 million while the Golden Eagle (1500m) remains at A$7.5 million in its second year.
Prize money levels for NSW races across the board were reduced in April until the end of the Australian financial year (June 30) because of the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
The stakes for races of $100,000 or more were reduced by 20 percent while NSW races between $25,000 and $100,000 were reduced by 10 percent.
The minimum prize money for NSW country TAB meetings was reduced from $22,000 to $20,000.
Saturday metropolitan races will be restored to $125,000 from $100,000 with metropolitan midweeks going back to $50,000 from $45,000.
Highway races in town will be back up to $75,000 while provincial and country races prize money levels will be restored.
The spring carnival dates in NSW have also been confirmed with The Everest to be held on October 17 at Randwick while the Golden Eagle is two weeks later.
"The confirmation of racing dates enables industry participants to move forward with certainty," Racing NSW chairman Russell Balding said.
"Trainers and owners can now properly plan the racing preparations for their horses."
Racing relics on offer
Racing art connoisseurs will have the opportunity to acquire a couple of historical art pieces by revered equine artist Frederick Woodhouse later this month.
New Zealand auction house Dunbar Sloane will be offering 'Manuka & Kakapo' through its Fine Art Auction on June 3, while Melbourne auction house Gibson's will be offering 'Mr Thomas Chirnside's General' 1863 to the public on June 15.
The latter piece is currently owned by the family of Alexander McGregor Grant, a former chairman of the Auckland Racing Club, and for whom the McGregor Grant Steeplechase (4900m) is named in honour of.
After rigorous research, the painting is thought to be that of racehorse General at Flemington racecourse in Melbourne. The bay gelding was owned by Mr Thomas Chirnside and won the Geelong 1000 sovs Steeplechase match race, Victorian Turf Club Handicap Steeple, and the Victorian Jockey Club Handicap Hurdle Race before retiring aged 7 in 1863.
The painting will be offered at the Australian & International Art auction on June 15.
For further information visit: gibsonsauctions.com.au and www.dunbarsloane.co.nz/
