One of the UK’s largest and most iconic racecourses has announced an increase in the prize fund for two of its flagship races in 2025.
Ascot Racecourse, located in Berkshire, has increased the prize money for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes race, known as the ‘King George’, this year to £1.5m.
This marks an increase from the £1.25m prize money in 2024, making the race the richest ever run at Ascot. The total prize money at Ascot this year will stand at £17.75m.
Felicity Barnard, Ascot Racecourse CEO, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our upward trajectory in prize money for 2025 and, through changes to entry conditions for the Group 2 races at Royal Ascot and ‘Run For Free’ for the King George, we will be absorbing more costs usually paid by owners.
“The King George is our midsummer highlight and Britain’s top all-aged mile-and-a-half race. It is vital that its prize money reflects that, and this year’s renewal will be the most valuable race ever run at Ascot.”
Prize money at the Royal Ascot event will stand at £10m, with no race run for less than £100,000. All Group 1 races, the highest level of racing in the UK, will be worth a minimum of £650,000.
Royal Ascot is one of Britain’s most prestigious racing events, alongside the Grand National at Aintree, the Cheltenham Festival, and Epsom Derby. Royal Ascot often proves to be a partially lucrative event for horse racing’s charitable partners.
Meanwhile, Ascot Racecourse benefits significantly from the commercial value of its economic status in the sport. Bookmakers in particular are often keen to secure visibility at the track via sponsorship deals.
Regarding the King George Stakes, Ascot has also revealed that the fixture will become a ‘run for free’ race, meaning connections of all horses that run in the race will have entry fees refunded in full.
Ruth Quinn, Director of International Racing and Development at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), said: “The King George is obviously a wonderfully iconic race and plays a vital role in the programme, particularly in terms of the ever-important middle-distance horse.
“Ascot’s ‘Run For Free’ concept, especially for this extremely valuable prize, is an example of tremendous initiative and dynamic thinking. The £1.5m prize fund, particularly against the backdrop of increasing international competition to entice high-quality runners, is extremely welcome news.
“The ability for owners to have entry stakes returned, and therefore be able to compete in this great race for free, shows welcome enterprise and should help to increase the attractiveness of lining up in this event.”
