Investec Derby Receives Purse Hike

The purse for the June 3, 2017 G1 Investec Derby, won this year by Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), will be raised to £1.5 million Epsom Downs Racecourse announced Friday. It will be the richest race in Britain and yearling entries for the 238th (2017) edition close at 12 p.m. local time Dec. 1. The 2016 Investec Derby’s purse has already been announced at £1.325 million prior to supplemental entries.

“We are continuing to invest in its [the Derby’s] status and one aspect of that important both to us and to our long-term partners, Investec, is to ensure the Classic remains the richest race in Britain,” said Andrew Cooper, Head of Racing for Jockey Club Racecourses’ London Region and Clerk of the Course at Epsom Downs Racecourse. “Therefore, we have decided on a sizeable prize money increase of just over 13% to £1.5 million for 2017, the first year we can act because of the unique yearling entry system for the race.

Added Cooper, “The cost of entering a horse for the 2017 Investec Derby as a yearling by Dec. 1 rises from £500 to £650.

Entry into the Investec Derby remains the same as in previous years with the yearling stage followed by an entry stage costing £9,000 Apr. 4 2017. The last opportunity to gain entry into the 2017 Investec Derby will be in the £85,000 supplemental stage May 29, 2017, five days prior to the race.