The British arm of the European Breeders' Fund (EBF), in recognition of the major investment domestic stallion studs make to British racing via the British EBF, is now an official partner of The Jockey Club (TJC), it was announced Wednesday. The goal of the partnership is to heighten awareness within the British racing industry of the significant contribution the British EBF is making to racing in the country, using the platform The Jockey Club can provide through its 15-strong group of racecourses nationwide. Most of the £1.6-million per year supplementation of prizemoney that the British EBF provides is via income from stallions standing in Great Britain. Owners are the direct beneficiaries of the fund, as EBF enhancements to prizemoney are always reflected above the minimum value of a race. The trustees also direct money into parts of the programme that encourage progression or which require support.
Stephen Wallis, Group Director of International and Racing Relations at The Jockey Club, explained, “The European Breeders' Fund has been an integral part of the landscape of British Racing for more than 30 years. We are very pleased to be working with the British EBF now as an official partner in the promotion of our sport and in support of our prizemoney aims. Hopefully the group-wide platform we offer will help to showcase to the industry what a significant contribution the British EBF is making to racing in this country.”
Recently, the EBF has initiated investments in listed races, the EBF Breeders' Series of fillies' handicaps and sire/dam restricted 2-year-old maiden races which are geared toward stayers, while in the jumping sphere, among the 80 races EBF supports is a strong focus on fillies and mares.
Philip Mitchell, Chairman of the British EBF, added, “The trustees of the British EBF are delighted that The Jockey Club is acknowledging British stallion studs and owners' support of British racing in this way. We hope that this new relationship will increase the profile of the organisation and help more people understand what we do and how we are funded. The Fund is still a vital tool to boost prizemoney which we could not provide without the support and generosity of the stallion masters.
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