Despite Australia’s indifference towards breeding stayers, prizemoney remains heavily skewed towards longer distance races.
Currently there are 786 stakes races/feature races of at least $100,000 prizemoney on the Australian racing calendar.
Extrapolating data from this calendar makes for interesting reading:
Average prizemoney of races below 1600m = $351,912 (excluding The Everest which is a shared prizemoney scheme)
Average prizemoney of races 1600m and beyond =$456,157
Average prizemoney of races 2000m and beyond = $459,624
Average prizemoney of races 2400m and beyond = $578,695
This trend is reaffirmed with million-dollar races as well:
Average prizemoney of million-dollar races below 1600m = $1.74 million
Average prizemoney of million-dollar races 1600m and beyond = $2.14 million
Average prizemoney of million-dollar races 2000m and beyond = $2.38 million
Average prizemoney of million-dollar races 2400m and beyond = $2.45 million
One possible explanation for this prizemoney distortion is our historical connection to the British Empire. Flat racing in Britain traces back to the 16th century but wasn’t formalised until the mid 18th century when the original ‘Classic’ races (Derby, Oaks, St Leger, etc) were introduced. The five British ‘Classics’ today are all conducted over distances between a mile (1609m) and 1 mile 6 furlongs (2937m).
The prizemoney available to middle-distance and long-distance horses in Australia was the main reason behind us forming the ‘Stayers Package’ last month.
Normally 2.5% is the minimum share percentage available for purchase but with the Stayers Package you can own a 1% share in 3 horses bred to run a journey, effectively tripling your entertainment for the price of one!
RIBCHESTER x ANICETA colt 1% share (Joe Pride)
ALMANZOR x DANAHERE filly 1% share (Kerry Parker)
SAXON WARRIOR x IDYLLIC MOOD filly 1% share (Kerry Parker)
Price = $5970 inc GST
Ongoing costs are approximately $40/month per horse.
Limited spots remain so please get in touch promptly if you would like to join.