The British European Breeders' Fund (BEBF) -- one of racing's principal sponsors -- contributed a total of £520,000 in prize money during the latest flat season when over 330 races were supported.
The figure is a record in recent times and, although the precise amount for next year will not be known until late February, it is likely to be exceeded in 2001.
Each of the BEBF-backed contests had further Breeders' Prizes of up to 25% of added values, dependent on certain criteria. The BEBF distributed an additional £242,000 in Breeders' Prizes during the 2000 flat season.The BEBF sponsors at all of the country's 59 racecourses -- Flat and National Hunt -- and is in the middle of a major jumping program for the 2000/2001 season featuring over 70 races, which also all carry Breeders' Prizes, with total support due to amount to £125,000.The European Breeders' Fund (EBF) is a self-help organization set up in 1983 as a counterpart to the American Breeders' Cup. Its income is mainly derived from the average fee from all participating stallions, whose progeny are then able to compete in EBF races. France, Great Britain and Ireland were the founder countries with Italy and Germany joining up in 1986 and Switzerland three years later. Since 1983, the BEBF alone has put £13,049,466 into British racing including over £1 million towards vital veterinary research.Further details about the EBF work is contained in a booklet published today which is intended to spread information about the organization.
Sam Sheppard, Chief Executive of the European Breeders' Fund, said: "We are delighted that the EBF has been able to make such a valuable contribution of over £520,000 million towards prize money in Britain during the 2000 Flat season. We hope that the production of our new booklet will help publicize the work of British racing's most prolific sponsor, who could not function without the support of stallion owners, syndicates and those who make the
eligibility payments for horses bred outside the EBF area."