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TRSA welcomes prizemoney boost for Adelaide Carnival

Thoroughbred Racing SA (TRSA) has welcomed today’s announcement from the State Government of a multi-million dollar prizemoney boost for the Adelaide Racing Carnival.

The $6 million funding commitment over two years will see the Darley Goodwood and UBET Classic (registered name Robert Sangster Stakes) – the highlights of the South Australian racing calendar and main features of the Adelaide  Racing Carnival at Morphettville – each break through the $1 million prizemoney barrier.

The SA Derby will rise to $600,000 while 30 races across the Adelaide Racing Carnival and the preceding three weeks at Morphettville receiving a prizemoney boost.  This includes 14 non-feature races, with all races over the period now having a $100,000 minimum purse.

The agreement ends South Australia’s standing as the only mainland State without a $1 million race.

“We are delighted and extremely grateful for the State Government’s support, which we believe is recognition of the racing industry’s importance as an employer and contributor to the State’s economy, and for what the industry has achieved with the Autumn Racing Carnival,” said TRSA Chair Frances Nelson QC.

“The number of starters in the Adelaide Carnival has grown for the past three years running and we are seeing a significant increase in interest from trainers and owners around Australia and beyond in bringing their horses to Adelaide for the carnival.

This increase in prizemoney not only provides that critical impetus for attracting bigger and better fields, but it’s also another important step for South Australian racing in general.”

 TRSA CEO Jim Watters said the announcement was “exciting news for everyone in the South Australian racing industry”. 

“Our immediate tasks now will be to ensure that owners and trainers throughout Australia and NZ are aware of the massive prize money increases and opportunities in South Australia in the autumn, and to sit down urgently with the SA Tourism Commission to develop strategies using the enhanced Adelaide Carnival as a catalyst to boost tourism visitations creating a new destination period for Adelaide and the State.”

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