British Racing Set for £3m Prize-Money Boost in 2027

British racing is set to receive an estimated £3 million boost to prize money and associated bonuses in 2027 after the Horserace Betting Levy Board approved an increase in funding for the new season.

The British Horseracing Authority has confirmed an additional £2.2 million in prize-money funding, which it expects to translate into around £3 million of extra value once bonuses and further contributions are taken into account. The investment will be spread across both Flat and Jump racing, with increased support for developmental contests, major Group 1 races and several levels of the National Hunt programme.

It forms part of a wider attempt to make Britain a more attractive place to breed, own, train and race horses at a time when the sport has been working to address a decline in its horse population and increasing competition from overseas racing jurisdictions.

Developmental races receive further investment

A significant part of the 2027 funding package will once again be directed towards developmental races, which account for approximately 20 per cent of the British race programme and provide many horses with their first opportunities on a racecourse.

Following increased investment during 2026, minimum prize-money values for every developmental race in Britain will rise by a further £1,000 next year. Open non-staying Flat contests will therefore increase from £10,000 to £11,000, while open staying races will rise to £13,000. Novice and maiden chases will have a minimum value of £16,000, with novice and maiden hurdles increasing to £11,000.

The intention is to make racing young horses in Britain more financially attractive to owners while creating a clearer route through the programme towards handicaps and Black Type races.

Major Jump races to receive prize-money increases

National Hunt racing will also benefit, with minimum values increasing across a number of Grade 2 and Grade 3 contests.

Grade 2 chases will carry a minimum value of £90,000 in 2027, up from £80,000 this year, while Grade 2 hurdles will see one of the biggest rises, moving from £60,000 to £85,000. Grade 2 novice chases will increase to £80,000, with Grade 3 chases and hurdles carrying the same minimum value.

The BHA hopes stronger prize money at this level will encourage connections to keep leading Jump horses in Britain and provide owners with greater incentives to target the strongest domestic races throughout the season.

Support is also increasing further down the programme, with more than £500,000 being invested in higher minimum values for Class 4, 5 and 6 Flat races and Class 3, 4 and 5 Jump contests.

Four major summer Group 1 races targeted

Some of the biggest races of the British Flat season could also receive significant prize-money increases through an expanded Elite Midsummer Group 1 scheme.

The July Cup, Sussex Stakes, International Stakes and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes will each be eligible for another £100,000 in HBLB support, provided the host racecourse contributes the same amount through sponsorship or executive funding.

Should those conditions be met, each contest would receive a minimum £200,000 increase to its overall prize fund. The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot Racecourse is already due to be worth £2.5 million in 2027.

The scheme was introduced in 2026 in an attempt to strengthen Britain’s leading midsummer races and attract more top-class international runners. According to the BHA, the four races generated increased overseas participation during its first year, alongside positive field-size and quality measures.

Great British Bonus expanded for Jump racing

The Great British Bonus scheme will also be widened from 2027 to include British-bred Jump geldings and entries.

Qualifying horses will be able to earn bonuses worth up to £10,000 per race, equivalent to 50 per cent of the corresponding bonus available to eligible fillies and mares. The move is designed to increase demand for British-bred male Jump horses and provide additional support to the domestic National Hunt breeding industry.

It adds another element to a funding package that stretches from horses beginning their careers to some of the highest-profile races staged in Britain.

What does the £3m boost mean for British racing?

The additional investment arrives at an important point for British racing, with the sport seeking to retain more horses domestically while competing with the prize-money available elsewhere.

BHA Director of Racing Richard Wayman said the organisation’s long-term strategy is centred on stabilising and ultimately growing the number of horses bred, trained and raced in Britain. The governing body believes increasing prize money across several levels of the sport can make an immediate difference to participants while also strengthening the quality of British racing.

The impact will not be confined to the headline Group 1 contests. With developmental races, mid-tier events and major Jump races all receiving increases, the 2027 package has been designed to distribute additional funding across a much wider section of the racing programme.

Experience British Horse Racing Hospitality with Eventmasters

The 2027 calendar will once again bring together many of Britain’s biggest Flat and Jump racing occasions, from major summer festivals to the highlights of the National Hunt season.

Eventmasters provides official horse racing hospitality across a range of leading race meetings, allowing guests to enjoy some of the sport’s biggest occasions alongside premium dining, excellent racecourse views and exclusive hospitality facilities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much extra funding will British racing receive in 2027?

The Horserace Betting Levy Board has approved an additional £2.2 million in prize-money funding. The BHA estimates this will result in approximately £3 million of additional prize money and associated bonus payments across British racing.

Which major Flat races will receive additional support?

The July Cup, Sussex Stakes, International Stakes and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes are included in the Elite Midsummer Group 1 scheme. Each can receive an additional £100,000 in HBLB funding if the host racecourse matches that contribution.

How will Jump racing benefit from the new funding?

Minimum values for several Grade 2 and Grade 3 races will increase, including Grade 2 chases, hurdles and novice chases. Lower and middle-tier Jump contests will also receive increased minimum prize-money levels.

What is changing with developmental races?

Every developmental race staged in Britain will have its minimum value increased by £1,000 in 2027 as part of attempts to encourage ownership and strengthen the pathway for young horses.

Can I experience major British racing events with Eventmasters hospitality?

Yes. Eventmasters offers official hospitality packages across a number of leading British race meetings, combining premium facilities, dining and excellent views of the racing.