Breeding & Racing Magazine

Racing Qld Says Prize-Money Rises "Not Affordable"

Racing Queensland announced that it “recognised the need to lift mid-week & Provincial Maiden & Class 1 prize-money, however substantial increases are not affordable at the level of current revenue receipts”. Chairman Bob Bentley said the industry “is facing challenging times with wagering turnover for the traditional pari-mutuel product in decline, legal debate continuing over race information fees, ageing infrastructure & this year’s natural disasters”. He noted: “RQ has already increased jockeys’ riding fees this year & will increase prize-money at the 1st feasible opportunity, but there is no magic pot of gold.”