Ascot, one of the most famous racecourses in the world, is making big changes to its biggest race in 2025. The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) will offer the highest prize money ever seen at the royal venue, making it an even more exciting race for horse owners, trainers, and fans. The race will also be easier to enter, thanks to a new “free entry” scheme that aims to encourage more competitors. Let’s dive into the details about the changes happening at Ascot in 2025.
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Prize Money Boost
In 2025, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes will feature £1.5 million (around US$1.55 million) in prize money. This makes it the most valuable race ever run at Ascot. The prize money has been increased by £250,000 from 2024, making the event even more attractive to horse owners and trainers.
One of the most exciting changes is that the entry fees for horses running in this prestigious Group 1 race will be refunded. This means owners don’t have to pay the usual entry fees, making it effectively free to enter for most competitors. However, this rule does not apply to horses that are added to the race after the initial entry.
Encouraging More Competitors
Ascot’s decision to increase the prize money and make it free to enter is meant to attract more horses to the race. Ascot wants to make the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes a more competitive race by giving owners a good reason to enter their horses, even if they are not the favorites to win.
This change is also meant to make the race more appealing compared to other races in Europe, which might be cheaper to enter. By eliminating the entry fee, Ascot hopes more trainers will see the King George as a worthwhile challenge, regardless of their horse’s odds of winning.
Changes to Other Royal Ascot Races
Ascot isn’t just making changes to the King George Stakes. They are also making some changes to four other Group 2 races at the Royal Ascot meeting. These races are:
- Ribblesdale Stakes (G2)
- King Edward VII Stakes (G2)
- Duke of Cambridge Stakes (G2)
- Hardwicke Stakes (G2)
Instead of having early-closing entries with multiple elimination stages like in previous years, these races will now allow six-day entries. This gives trainers more time to decide which horses to enter, making the decision process easier and more flexible.
Increased Prize Money at Ascot
In total, Ascot will offer £17.75 million in prize money across all its 2025 races. Of this, £10.1 million will go directly to the races themselves, which shows Ascot’s commitment to making its races as attractive and competitive as possible.
By raising prize money and introducing more flexible entry rules, Ascot is trying to attract the best horses from around the world. These changes will help Ascot stay at the top of horse racing in Europe.
Ascot’s changes for 2025 are designed to improve the quality and competitiveness of its races, especially the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. By offering more prize money and making it free to enter, Ascot is hoping to attract more participants, making the event even more exciting for fans. These changes also reflect Ascot’s efforts to keep itself at the forefront of horse racing, ensuring its races continue to draw top talent from across the globe. With a significant increase in prize money and a new, flexible entry system, Ascot is on track to make 2025 a memorable year for the sport.
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