Racing

HRI increase Irish Champions Weekend prize-money to over €4m

Races at both Leopardstown and Curragh see their value raised

Ryan Moore on The Grey Gatsby gets home ahead of Australia and Joseph O’Brien to win the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes in September 2014. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Ryan Moore on The Grey Gatsby gets home ahead of Australia and Joseph O’Brien to win the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes in September 2014. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Thu Feb 19 2015 - 12:15

Horse Racing Ireland has announced an increase in prize-money for Irish Champions Weekend which takes the total on offer over €4 million.

The top-class action on September 12th-13th is highlighted by the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, which is now worth €1.1 million, an increase of €100,000.

Three races at Curragh a day later have also been raised in value. The Derrinstown Stud Flying Five has been upgraded to a Grade Two for the first time and has doubled in value from €100,000 to €200,000.

The Palmerstown House Estate Irish St Leger has increased from €300,000 to €350,000, and the Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes also rises by €50,000 to €250,000.

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Total prize-money at the Curragh has risen by €200,000 to €1.9 million.

Brian Kavanagh, HRI chief executive, said: "As we aim to build on the success of the inaugural Irish Champions Weekend, we are delighted that the total prize-money on offer at both Leopardstown and the Curragh has been increased to €4.03 million this year.

“This is our flagship event for Flat racing in Ireland and the weekend will continue to go from strength to strength.”