The two feature Saturday Jump fixtures at Kempton Park will both see a major injection of prize money in 2022 thanks to a new partnership between Coral and The Jockey Club.
The increases have been made possible by a significant six figure sponsorship contribution from Coral, who will be the headline sponsor at both fixtures, alongside group-wide increases in prize money across The Jockey Club announced earlier this week.
Coral Lanzarote Hurdle Day (Saturday 15th January) sees total prize money now standing at £255,000, with the feature Listed Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle now offering £100,000 in total prize money (up from an advertised £45,000 in 2020).The Grade Two Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase on the same day rises to £80,000 (up from £60,000).
On Saturday 26th February the Grade Three Coral Chase headlines the fixture and the three-mile contest sees its total value rise to £150,000 (up from £100,000). On the same card, both the Grade Two Coral Adonis Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle (up to £60,000 from £30,000) and the Grade Two Coral Pendil Novices’ Novices’ Chase (up to £60,000 from £32,000) also see major increases in prize money. Total prize money on this day now stands at £366,800.
Simon Clare, Coral PR Director said:
“The January and February period of the Jump season is in real need of reinvigoration and strengthening, and we are delighted to partner with The Jockey Club in making such a significant prize money boost to these two high quality Saturday race meetings at Kempton Park.
“Kempton Park consistently delivers a fantastic racing service during this winter period and we hope that this sizeable increase in the value of these five great heritage races will encourage many more owners and trainers to target their horses at these two meetings.
“The Coral Chase has a distinguished roll of honour, with the likes of Desert Orchid and Rough Quest winners of the race in its pomp, and with £150,000 now up for grabs we are throwing a gauntlet down to connections of highly rated three-mile chasers to target this historic race, especially as 12 out of the last 20 renewals have been won by horses carrying 11 stone or more.
“The Lanzarote Hurdle used to be one of the big betting handicaps of the jump season, and we hope that this injection of prize money up to £100,000 will see it deliver a competitive and high quality contest for racegoers and punters at home to enjoy.
“Jump racing is hugely important to Coral and we want to invest our money where we can make a difference to, and support, the sport.”
Leading Jumps trainer Tom George said:
“I’m delighted to see the increase in prize money, and whilst there is a way to go in terms of day to day racing this is definitely news to be welcomed.
“Kempton Park is a great track and it’s one that has been lucky for us. It suits winter horses who like decent ground and it’s an important track for the yard, providing the best ground in the winter months.
“As for the races themselves the Coral Chase is certainly a possibility for Clondaw Castle. He’s fine after his run in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park and is having a bit of a break now before we bring him back in the spring for the better ground.”
Barney Clifford, Regional Head of Racing and Clerk of the Course at Kempton Park, said:
“We are delighted to be working with Coral at two of our feature days of Jump racing and our thanks goes to them for their significant contribution to increased prize money at both fixtures.
“While the largest increases are to the feature contests, it should also be noted that all races on the card at both fixtures have more prize money on offer in 2022 due to additional in-house investment, which I am sure will be appreciated by all as the industry continues its recovery from the challenges of the last couple of years.
“We look set for two top-class days of competition over Jumps and I’m sure we will unearth a future star or two as has been the case on countless occasions at these two fixtures down the years."