Ascot Racecourse has revealed that the total prize money for 2026 will hit a record £19.4 million, marking an increase of £1.65 million compared to 2025. This amount excludes the QIPCO British Champions Day, which is sponsored by the industry. Over half of Ascot’s races—88 out of 169 across 25 race days—will see higher prize funds than last year, with every flat race offering at least £25,000. The Royal Ascot event alone is valued between £10.05 million and £10.65 million.
Ascot’s own contribution toward the prize money will rise from £9.97 million in 2025 to an expected £10.7 million in 2026. Royal Ascot will feature increases throughout its program, including all eight Group 1 races having a minimum prize of £700,000, with two races reaching £1 million. The Royal Meeting will host 35 races, with 26 occurring during the week, with prizes ranging from £110,000 to over £120,000.
Notably, the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes will become Britain’s first £2 million race next year, up from £1.5 million. This July’s race was won by Calandagan, the world’s highest-rated horse currently, in an elite contest dubbed Europe’s Midsummer All-Ages Horse Highlights. The total prize pool that day will surpass £2.5 million. Additionally, the G2 Summer Mile prize increases to £165,000 from £140,000, and all Dubai Duty Free Shergarh Cup races will have minimum purses of £85,000, raising the day’s total to £525,000.
Investments in Class 3 and 4 flat races will push all prizes to a minimum of £25,000, adding £287,000 in prize money at these levels. For jump races, the Ladbrokes 1965 Chase prize has grown from £80,000 to £100,000 this year, with three £100,000 races slated for Ladbrokes’ November Racing Weekend. The minimum purse for all WFA Novice/Maiden Hurdles will be £25,000, reflecting a commitment to developing the sport.
Felicity Barnard, Ascot Racecourse CEO, expressed enthusiasm about the prize money bump, emphasizing the importance of supporting the sport amid challenging economic conditions. She highlighted that over half the races’ prize money has increased, aligning with industry goals to grow key races.
Nick Smith, Ascot’s Director of Horse Racing and Public Relations, stressed that prize money is crucial for attracting top domestic and international competitors. He noted Ascot’s success in 2025 with participants from four continents and pointed to the upgraded King George and Royal Meeting as flagship events. Ascot plans to promote these alongside other major British summer races under the Midsummer Elite Races banner to boost their prominence and prize money further.
Fan Take: This substantial prize money increase signals a strong commitment to the future of British horse racing, promising more competitive fields and higher-quality racing. Fans can look forward to thrilling events featuring the world’s best horses, boosting the sport’s global appeal and excitement.
