The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Perth Races offer bumper prize pot
PERTH RACECOURSE has announced a major rise in prize money for the forthcoming season.
A growth in attendance and turnover has allowed the course to buck the national trend and increase the cash on offer by 30%.
Total prize money at the racecourse will exceed £620,000 in 2012 — a rise of £160,000 from last year — ensuring that a minimum prize of £5000 will be achieved for all races, other than two Hunter Steeple Chases and National Hunt Flat Races, although these will also enjoy considerable increases.
Sam Morshead, general manager of Perth Racecourse, said: “We are looking forward to another fantastic season of racing, providing an action-packed calendar with something to suit all tastes.
“Perth Racecourse has long held a reputation for offering good prize money.
“However, the last two years have coincided with a diff icult economic climate together with a huge downturn in sponsorship, making our drive to maintain above-average levels of prize money a torturous one.
“Thanks to a good year, and with Levy Board commitments fulfilled, we are moving into new territory and are delighted to announce the expected prize money total for 2012.
“We are very grateful to all our existing sponsors, particularly Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer and Aberdeen Asset Management PLC who are supporting our forthcoming Perth Festival which this year runs from April 25th to 27th.
“We are also very grateful to a contribution of £20,000 from Betfair which has provided the opportunity to bring all our lower tier races up to £5000.”
The increase in prize money is just the latest piece of good news for the course.
It was named best small racecourse in Scotland and the North East for the third time in five years and enjoyed a record-breaking 2011 season.