Betfair launches new £200k Scottish series

BETTING exchange giant Betfair is to pump £200,000 into Scottish racing by funding and promoting a new series of flat races which will reward the connections of horses running at the lower end of the handicap pyramid.

Musselburgh, Ayr and Hamilton Park will promote the Betfair Bonus Scottish Flat Racing Series, culminating in a Champions Day at Musselburgh with a pot of more than 100,000. Horses operating in Classes 5 and 6 are rarely able to compete for decent prize money within their grade, and this initiative is aimed at increasing prize money for flat horses rated up to 75 and also to provide a lucrative finale for trainers and owners at the end of the flat season. Prize money for the qualifying races will be at least 60 per cent higher than average flat meeting races and the organisers are hoping to pull in a 5,000-plus crowd on Champions Day on 3 September.

Each racecourse will stage six sprint qualifiers over five and six furlongs, six mile qualifiers over seven to nine furlongs and six stayers' heats over 11 furlongs and longer. Every qualifier will have a Betfair Series Bonus attached worth an extra ,1500 (Class 6 handicaps) and 2,900 (Class 5), over and above the prize money offered by the racecourses, taking prize money for each race to the maximum of 4,000 and 6,500 respectively.

All horses which run in a Betfair Bonus qualifying race will also qualify for the relevant final on Champions Day.

The series kicks off at Musselburgh on Saturday, 23 April and will run throughout the summer flat season, with Champions Day featuring three category finals worth 25,000 each and three consolation races worth 8,000 each.

Hamilton Park's participation in the series begins on Friday, 6 May while Ayr kicks off on Monday, 11 July, hosting the bulk of its qualifiers in July and August.

Betfair spokesman Martin Cruddace said: "We are delighted to support such an innovative programme of flat racing and to be able to enhance the level of prize money on offer in Scotland by 200,000. It's a great boost for grass roots racing and all three racecourses should be congratulated for working together for the betterment of Scottish Racing."

Musselburgh's general manager, Bill Farnsworth, said: "At a time when the racing industry is facing difficult challenges, we have to find new ways of promoting our sport and making it more attractive for race goers, trainers and owners and we are grateful to Betfair for their generous support.

"The Betfair Bonus Scottish Flat Racing Series will provide a platform for the unsung heroes of the racing circuit and supports the day-to-day racing which underpins the whole sport. By offering increased prize money and also the fanfare of a Champions Day we hope to reward those people who invest in flat racing for the sheer enjoyment rather than the huge spoils which can be collected in the upper echelons."It's a great example of Scotland's flat race courses working together to benefit each other and we hope owners, trainers and the paying public will back us with bigger crowds throughout the season and by making Champions Day a day to remember."