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GREAT BRITISH BONUS SCHEME BOOSTS WINNINGS BY £500,000
The new Great British Bonus (GBB) scheme has only been launched for 10 weeks, but in that short time has added over half a million pounds to race winners prize money.
In this shortened season, due to COVID-19, the scheme is still on track to add a much-needed £1m into the industry via prize money and benefits owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys and stable staff. The latter have received £12,500 in bonuses alone.
The latest winner of the bonus was in the first race at Salisbury yesterday as Crazy Luck (Twilight Son) got up by almost two lengths. Bred by Kirtlington Stud and Mr C Budgett, she was a graduate of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale before trainer Rod Millman took her home from the Goffs UK September Yearling Sale for £9,000 for the Crown Connoisseurs syndicate. The owners are locals, led by the landlord of The Crown where there will be plenty of celebrations this evening.
Rod Millman, who is already eyeing another bonus for the filly, said: "This is a fantastic scheme and brilliant for her syndicate owners. With bonuses of £20,000 per win, why would we be looking at anything but GBB-eligible fillies at the upcoming yearling sales?"
With 30 winners of the scheme to date, which is still open for further registrations until the end of this month, GBB Manager Grant Pritchard-Gordon said: "The Great British Bonus has had an unbelievable start. British racing and breeding is going through an incredibly difficult period as a result of COVID-19, and this scheme is giving the industry much-needed support. We're on target to hit the £1 million barrier in the next few months."
Two fillies by Brazen Beau have already scooped double bonuses as Brazen Belle, owned and bred by Kevin Nicholson and trained by David OMeara, won on debut at Beverley before following up with a victory over 6f at Catterick. Earning £7,506 in those races she has amassed a further £40,000 in GBB bonuses and is certainly paying her way. Also, Simon Chappell's homebred filly in training with Bryan Smart Blackberry has won both her starts to date to amass £6,987 in prize money and a further £40,000 in GBB bonuses.
The scheme aims to support the industry across the board and has already achieved that as an inexpensive £5,000 yearling, a £17,000 syndicate purchase and international owners and breeders have all benefited. At the other end of the market, sales prices have been boosted at the recent breeze-up sales and NH store sales as GBB-eligible fillies are receiving a better clearance rate and achieving headline six-figure prices.
Registration for the scheme closes on 31st August and Thoroughbred Breeders Association (TBA) members can register their 2019 foals for free. NH MOPS-registered fillies and mares have been transferred to the GBB scheme, but yearlings will need to be registered at stage two to ensure that the bonuses can still be won. If you have any queries about the scheme please contact GBB Manager Grant Pritchard-Gordon.