The Group 1 Sydney Cup will be run as a $2m race in 2016 after the Australian Turf Club today announced a $2.4 million boost in prizemoney for the Sydney Autumn Carnival.
The Chris Waller trained Grand Marshal with Jim Cassidy on top won the 2015 Sydney Cup at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
The 3200m Schweppes Sydney Cup received an extra $400,000 to add to this year’s $1.6m and will be run at Randwick on the second day of ‘The Championships’ on April 9.
The Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) has also received a $400,000 boost and will be a $1m race for the three year olds in 2016.
The Golden Slipper Carnival at Rosehill is also a beneficiary with the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) now worth $700,000, up $300,000, the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) is up $200,000 to $700,000 and the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) for the three year olds is now worth $600,000, up $100,000.
The Ranvet Stakes, the Rosehill Guineas and The Galaxy are all run on the March 19, the same day as the Group 1 Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) which remains the richest race for the two year olds in the world at $3.5 million.
Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Officer Darren Pearce said the Sydney Autumn Carnival was growing in stature as one of the world’s best racing events and hopes the increase in prizemoney levels will continue to attract top quality international runners.
“We want the very best quality of horses from around Australia and the world to come to Sydney in the Autumn, and these prizemoney increases are a further incentive,’’ Mr Pearce said.
“The ATC is proud to be able to fund more than $2 million in extra prizemoney, all from the ATC’s surpluses, off the back of a record post-merger operating profit.
“These increases mean horses can have their entire campaign in Sydney, and race right through the strongest and most competitive racing carnival in Australia.
“Last year we had horses from Japan, Hong Kong and Europe come to Sydney and with Canterbury Park’s quarantine centre fully operational we are aiming to have even more international runners.
“The Autumn prizemoney increases allow trainers with horses of all ages and across all distance ranges to start, build and finish their campaigns all in Sydney, from the start of February right through the Autumn.”
Below is the complete list of prizemoney increases for the 2016 Sydney Autumn Carnival
Race name and date 2016 Sydney Autumn Prizemoney and Prizemoney Increase
G1 Schweppes Sydney Cup – 9 April, $2,000,000, $400,000
G1 Royal Randwick Guineas – 5 March, $1,000,000, $400,000
G1 The Galaxy – 19 March, $700,000, $300,000
G1 Ranvet Stakes – 19 March, $700,000, $200,000
G1 Schweppes All Aged Stakes – 16 April, $600,000, $200,000
G2 Hobartville Stakes – 20 February, $400,000, $200,000
G3 Sky High Stakes – 12 March, $350,000, $200,000
G1 Chipping Norton Stakes – 27 February, $600,000, $100,000
G1 Rosehill Guineas – 19 March, $600,000, $100,000
G2 Challenge Stakes – 5 March, $500,000, $100,000
G1 Vinery Stud Stakes – 26 March, $500,000, $100,000
G1 Moët & Chandon Champagne Stakes – 16 April, $500,000, $100,000.
