HRNSW Chairman Rex Horne has announced a number of significant changes for next year’s Pepper Tree Farm Breeders Challenge series. The Breeders Challenge was introduced in 2008 and has grown exponentially with eligible horses competing in heats across the state before travelling to Tabcorp Park Menangle for the Semi Finals and Finals.
A number of prize money increases will be well received by the industry with Mr Horne confirming the Breeders Challenge Three Year Old Finals will receive a boost for the first time since being introduced.
“The NSW Breeders Challenge Three Year Old Finals will be increased to $150,000, however the Board has ensured the prize money increases are spread further across the series,” Mr Horne said.
“The Breeders Challenge Regional Finals will also receive an increase and will now be worth $30,000, guaranteeing group three status.”
With nearly $1.5 million distributed during the Breeders Challenge series in 2015, Mr Horne says the increases should give breeders and owners confidence HRNSW is committed to seeing the local breeding industry continue to thrive.
“The Board understands how important the strength of local breeding is to the overall industry therefore it is important HRNSW continues to entice owners to buy locally bred horses.
“After consultation with key stakeholders the Board has increased prize money in a number of areas and will also help locally bred trotters by ensuring only NSW Breeders Challenge horses can compete.”
The full list of changes to the 2016 Pepper Tree Farm NSW Breeders Challenge:
- Breeders Challenge Three Year Old Finals to increase to $150,000
- All Regional Finals to be boosted to $30,000 which will see them run at group three level
- The Four Year Old Mares Breeders Challenge Semi Finals will increase to $25,000
- All Heats, Semi Finals and Finals of the Breeders Challenge will be run over one mile or the nearest distance to a mile at respective tracks.
- The trotters Finals will be for NSWBC eligible horses only
- Four Year Old Trotters Prelude and Final to be open to Five Year Old NSWBC eligible trotters
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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