Juddmonte International joins the newly launched 2025 Midsummer Bonus

Ascot, Goodwood and York have announced a bonus to connections of horses trained outside Europe who are being considered for three of Britain’s top Gr.1 races in 2025. Up to £1m in bonuses will be available to connections who send horses for both the Gr.1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and the Gr.1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. The two contests are run within days of each other, something that minimises travel complexities.
The £1m winning bonus will be paid out if the winners of both races are owned or trained by the same person (or entity, in the case of owners). If a horse is placed in both races, a £250,000 bonus will be paid. Additionally, any horse who wins either the Sussex or the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and goes on to run in the Gr.1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York will receive a £250,000 appearance fee, while any horse placed in the Sussex or King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes before running in the Juddmonte International Stakes will be given a £150,000 appearance fee.

“I am excited to hear the news about this original bonus scheme which is very attractive for owners and trainers in Japan,” said leading Japanese trainer Yoshito Yahagi. “Ascot, Goodwood and York Racecourses are adored by Japanese trainers, and this new scheme will certainly mean we give consideration to the venture when we plan our international programme.”

“We have been collectively considering how to maximise global attention on the midsummer period in Britain, when there are less major overseas events taking part than at other times of the year,” explained Nick Smith, Ascot’s Director of Racing and Public Affairs. “The thinking behind the Midsummer Bonus is that the opening races are, effectively, the same week, and this presents an opportunity to promote the whole week and all its international options as one entity. By linking the high-summer flagship races at Ascot, Goodwood and York and promoting them together, with bonuses, we are hoping that there is a greater incentive to travel horses to the UK for this significant spell of racing with seven Gr.1s. We are offering full equine travel costs, stabling and such like within the bonus scheme, along with business class flights and hotels for connections, very much as is expected at major international meetings around the world these days.”

Ed Arkell, Goodwood’s Director of Racing and Clerk of the Course, said his course was “delighted to be partnering with Ascot and York with the Midsummer Bonus,” adding that “given the ever increasing globalisation of racing it is key that Britain continues to attract the best horses in the world to compete in our top races. We hope that this scheme will aid that outcome and we look forward to welcoming connections to Britain’s leading racecourses.”

William Derby, meanwhile, York’s Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course, added that “the prestige of this high-summer spell of racing, when Britain can shine with the spotlight on it, is widely acknowledged and this promotion further demonstrates the commitment of all three racecourses to showcasing our racing on the global stage. York will be paying an additional £50,000 in appearance fees for any horses travelling under this scheme, should they go to the Juddmonte International, recognising of course that milers and mile-and-a-half horses can go the 10f route. The £50,000 goes up to £150,000 should any horse be placed at Ascot or Goodwood and £250,000 if they have won.