STARTING next Thursday at Bellewstown, prize money in all Irish races will be extended to sixth place. The move is expected to result in about 400 horses, who had previously failed to win any prize money, return at least a small dividend to their owners within a year.

Horse Racing Ireland has calculated that there were 430 horses in the past year with a best finish of sixth place and 406 of those did not win any prize money. At the lowest level, a sixth place finish will earn owners €230 before deductions, almost enough to cover the jockey’s fee and entry fee.