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Prize Fund for the Grand National at a Record High for 2011


WEBWIRE

Aintree Racecourse has announced that The Grand National, the pinnacle race of the National Hunt season, will have a new increased prize fund of £950,000. Despite their cut in funding from the Horserace Betting Levy Board, Aintree Racecourse has secured the prize fund for main race with help from race sponsors John Smith’s.

Julian Thick, Aintree’s Managing Director, said: “We are delighted that the Grand National will be worth a record £950,000 in 2011, making it by far the richest Jump race in Europe. It is fantastic to have such a supportive partner in John Smith’s, who have enabled us to continue to increase the prize fund for our showcase race.”

The racing fraternity welcome the increase in the prize fund. Being the main source of income to those in the racing industry, tens of thousands of livelihoods depend upon it. The huge costs related to keeping and training racehorses are hardly covered by the training fees. Previously, British racecourses have been blamed for not sharing the income they receive from the media coverage. Funds from the betting industry have been decreasing due to bookies moving their operations overseas which is another blow to those involved in horseracing. While successful jockeys can manage with the riding fees and small percentage of the prize fund, there are plenty of jockeys earning less than the minimum wage.

The prize fund is a £25,000 increase on last year’s Grand National prize fund, which was won by jockey AP McCoy on Don’t Push It, a horse trained by Jonjo O’Neill. AP McCoy has experienced great success throughout his career, holding the record for most winners as a jump jockey. He has a winning partnership with racehorse trainer Jonjo O’Neill, riding horses which have been brought up through the ranks at Jackdaws Castle. Recent big race wins of their partnership have been the Grand National at Aintree and also the Welsh Grand National.

More information about Jonjo can be found at http://www.jonjooneillracing.com

About Jonjo O’Neill Racing:
Since moving to Jackdaws Castle, Jonjo has saddled more than one thousand winners. The yard provides state-of-the-art racehorse training facilities and is Britain’s premier National Hunt training establishment. Jonjo works alongside champion jockey AP McCoy and his team of talented staff to give the best possible care and training to the horses. In addition, a warm welcome is extended to racehorse owners. They are encouraged to visit their horse and make use of the Owners’ Suite where they can watch their horse’s previous races, whilst enjoying a glass of champagne. With the different types of racehorse ownership available, Jonjo O’Neill Racing turns the dream of owning a racehorse into a reality for many.



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 prize money
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 aintree


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