Five weeks out from the first of South Australia’s features run at the highest level, each of the four Group One races to be run at Morphettville will see prizemoney doubled to $1 million.
A partnership between Sportsbet, Racing SA and the South Australian Jockey Club (SAJC) has brought about the uplifts with the 2024 editions to be the first of a seven-year partnership.
Attracting the best quality horses, leading jockeys and bigger sized fields are all factors in the prize pool leaps.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Racing SA and the SAJC in this way and the big prizemoney will really put South Australian racing back on the map,” Sportsbet CEO Barni Evans said.
“Racing SA is delighted with this announcement which enhances our premium races,” Racing SA Chair, Rob Rorrison added.
“Stakeholder feedback during the consultation phase of the recently released Strategic Plan was consistent in highlighting the need to address the prizemoney levels of the four Group 1 races conducted in South Australia.”
The first of the million-dollar features comes up with the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) and Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) on April 27.
They are followed by the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) on May 4, and the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) on May 11.