South Australian racing has received a timely boost ahead of the state’s major carnival for the year, with Adelaie’s four upcoming Group One races elevated to purses of A$1 million.
On Friday morning, Racing SA, the SAJC and Sportsbet announced a seven-year partnership that immediately delivers a near 100 per cent increase in stakes for the four Group One races this autumn, starting with the Gr.1 Sangster Stakes (1200m) and Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on April 27.
There will be a A$1 million stake for both the Gr.1 SA Derby (2500m) on May 4 and the Gr.1 Goodwood (1200m) on May 11.
The state’s elite sprints the Sangster and Goodwood had been worth A$600,000 each, with the Derby and Oaks races formerly worth A$500,000.
Racing SA chair Rob Rorrison said the premium prizemoney on offer will attract the best horses, trainers and jockeys while also ensuring that Racing SA can deliver on its recently released strategic plan.
Racing SA is delighted with today’s announcement, which enhances our premium races,” Rorrison said.
“Stakeholder feedback during the consultation phase of the recently released strategic plan was consistent in highlighting the need to address the prizemoney levels of the four Group One races conducted in South Australia.
“The increase to the Group One prizemoney comes off the back of a 15 per cent increase in prizemoney across the remainder of the racing program.
“We look forward to working with Sportsbet and the SAJC to deliver fantastic racing over the Adelaide racing carnival.
Sportsbet chief executive Barni Evans said the prizemoney hike for the state’s best races is the start of big things for SA racing.
“We are thrilled to partner with Racing SA and the SAJC in this way and the big prizemoney will really put South Australian racing back on the map,” Evans said.
SAJC chair Judith Jones said it was pleasing to see an immediate impact of the new partnership. “This is a fantastic announcement for racing in South Australia and for Morphettville, the proud home of Group One racing in this state.
“Our commitment towards creating these million-dollar races represents the single biggest prizemoney investment in more than a decade by the SAJC and demonstrates not only our belief in the future direction being set by Racing SA, but also the renewed financial strength of our club.”
