TBA & Levy Board Step In to Save Group 2 Lowther Stakes
Thursday 21st August, 2008
The Thoroughbred Breeders Association and the Horserace Betting Levy Board have acted swiftly following an approach from the British Horseracing Authority, York and Newmarket to save the Lowther Stakes, which was one of the casualties of York. The Group 2 race will now be run at Newmarket on Saturday with a guaranteed prize fund of £60k. It will be the second race of a nine-race card plus the Newmarket Town Plate. The first race has been moved forward to 12.50hrs.
TBA Chairman Kirsten Rausing said “We are delighted to be able to step in, with the support of the Levy Board, to save this historic and valuable race for 2008. Testing fillies and mares at all levels is essential to maintaining the quality and value of British bloodstock, which is a fundamental objective of the TBA.”
Douglas Erskine-Crum, Chief Executive of the Levy Board, said “We were approached first thing this morning to see if we could help save the Lowther, given that it is the last race of its type in the calendar this year. We unhesitatingly backed the initiative to get the race run for everyone’s benefit.”