3 minute read

Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) is pleased to announce an annual boost of $878,000 in prizemoney for outer thoroughbred regional racetracks from May 2021.

The announcement is the third phase of RWWA's thoroughbred stakes strategy to deliver greater financial returns to owners and trainers.

The Carnarvon Race Club's season opener on Saturday 8 May 2021, will be the first race meeting to benefit from the increase in minimum prizemoney levels.

Other race clubs to receive the lift in stakes will include the Broome Turf Club, Esperance-Bay Turf Club, Narrogin Racing, York Racing, Port Hedland Turf Club and Nor West Jockey Club (Roebourne).

RWWA General Manager Racing Charlotte Mills explained that the increase in prizemoney was originally set to commence as part of the new racing season in August 2021, but was brought forward due to the impacts of COVID-19.

"We were cognisant that Broome, Port Hedland and Roebourne lost their entire seasons as a result of the pandemic in 2020. Therefore, in an effort to help provide support to those impacted by this, the increase in prizemoney will now coincide with the start of the North West racing season," Charlotte said.

"This will see an additional $354,000 in prizemoney distributed to industry within the current season, followed by the full increase of $878,000 in 2021/22."

"We are excited to rollout the third phase of our thoroughbred's stakes increases to provide an uplift in prizemoney for our owners and trainers whose horses are competing at our regional racetracks."

In 2019, RWWA announced an increase in prizemoney across midweek metropolitan and inner provincial race meetings, followed by a boost in stakes for Outer Provincial A race meetings in 2020.

The Western Australian thoroughbred racing industry is responsible for generating more than $539 million to the State's economy, providing full-time equivalent employment for 4,822 individuals.