A RECORD-BREAKING prize has been announced for an upcoming horse race in York.

York Racecourse and Juddmonte have announced that the Juddmonte International, otherwise known as the International Stakes, prize for this year will be run for a record prize of £1,250,000.

This is a 25 per cent increase in value, cementing it as the most expensive race ever run on the Knavesmire, as well as being the joint most valuable all-age contest staged on a British racecourse-owned fixture.

The race is currently scheduled to take place on Wednesday, August 21 as an opener for the Ebor Festival and as the first of the three World Pool race days.

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William Derby, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course at York Racecourse, said: “We are delighted to announce this boost to the prize fund of our flagship race, the Juddmonte International, to £1.25m, confirming it as the richest race ever run at York.

“The significant increase in prize money forms part of a wider strategy to ensure the race continues to attract the best horses in the world for racing followers at York and beyond, to enjoy.

The Juddmonte International has been ran at York since 1989 and is a race that consistently attracts top equine talent with the famous green and pink silks of the late Prince Khalid Abdullah seen on multiple occasions, notably with winners Twice Over and Frankel, and other equine talents such Roberto and Sea The Stars taking to the course.

The race was ranked amongst others in Longines World’s Best Race in 2020 and has managed to retain its position since.

Won last year by Mostahdaf, sired by Juddmonte stallion Frankel, the colt was the joint highest rated horse in the world outside Japan – something that only goes to show the wealth of talent running at York.

Juddmonte Chief Executive Officer, Douglas Erskine Crum said: “In our 35th year of sponsorship, this 25% increase in value demonstrates both York and Juddmonte's commitment to increasing prize money.”

“We congratulate York on consistently making prize money a top priority across all their meetings, thereby taking the lead amongst UK racecourses.”

Tickets for the Ebor Festival can be found here and for those wishing to attend the Juddmonte International, single day tickets can be purchased here.