BRIGG RACING FANS UNDER STARTER'S ORDERS FOR FIRST MEETING OF 2018

FROM MARKET RASEN RACECOURSE

Prize money at Market Rasen Racecourse is to rise to a record amount of nearly £1.5 million in 2018.
That represents an increase of 11 per cent over the prize fund offered during 2017. The new total is £1,484,600 spread over the 22 fixtures, up from £1,321,500 last year.
The average prize fund each racing day is £67,000, while the racecourse will host its most valuable ever winter fixture on Wednesday, 17th January when over £80,000 is on offer.
The annual Prelude Chase, traditionally held at the end of September, is being switched to October, helping to create two £100,000 meetings this autumn.
On Boxing Day, prize money for the annual Clugston Lincolnshire National is raised to £20,000.
Market Rasen Racecourse is part of The Jockey Club, which has announced a record contribution from its own resources to prize money this year. The UK’s leading racecourse group is increasing its contribution across all its 15 racecourses by £4.2 million to £27.1 million next year. This means total race values will be £53 million – a rise of £8 million on 2017.
Nadia Powell, General Manager, Market Rasen Racecourse, said: “This is fantastic for Market Rasen Racecourse, as it is for all racecourses within The Jockey Club, as we endeavour to attract the highest quality horses that we can to Lincolnshire for our spectators to watch. We pride ourselves in supporting all levels of racing and this increase in prize money will benefit everyone.”
Since 2010, The Jockey Club will have more than doubled its annual contribution to British racing’s prize money from its own resources on the back of its people working hard to drive commercial growth to afford this. Governed by Royal Charter, The Jockey Club’s mission is to act for the long-term good of British racing, which includes reinvesting all its profits back into the sport.
Paul Fisher, Chief Executive of Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “This is The Jockey Club’s largest ever commitment to horsemen and we really hope that will also translate into good news for racing fans alike. I’m very proud of our people who have worked hard to achieve the commercial results we need to be able to offer this.
“Because we already put all of our money back into the sport, we can only increase our prize money contribution if we create the commercial returns to do so.
“Some people might think that our prize money is all about the highest race classes or at one or two racecourses, but these figures demonstrate another step forward in our commitment to supporting British racing at all levels.”
The first fixture of the New Year at Market Rasen Racecourse is on Wednesday, 17th January.
The meeting sees the first running of a new Listed race for mares which is in tribute to late racehorse trainer Alan Swinbank. The £20,000 188Bet Alan Swinbank Mares Listed National Hunt Flat Race be a permanent memorial to the Yorkshireman who died suddenly last May at the age of 72.
The afternoon also features the £20,000 Weatherbys Racing Bank Graduation Chase.
Adult tickets on the first County Raceday of the year are just £10 for adults when purchased in advance. Accompanied under 18s are admitted free of charge.
The first race time is scheduled for 12.30pm and more details can be found at http://marketrasen.thejockeyclub.co.uk.

NF adds: Many people from Brigg and district enjoy attending race meeting at the Lincolnshire course.