09-07-2025
Racing Victoria finds $316m to deliver prizemoney changes for 2025-26 season
Victorian racing is united behind a $316m distribution of prizemoney and bonuses set to support participants from grassroots to elite levels in the upcoming 2025-26 season.
Racing Victoria has managed to retain prizemoney levels year-on-year despite ongoing financial and wagering pressure.
RV worked closely with partners, including Country Racing Victoria, metropolitan racing clubs and stakeholder groups for trainers, jockeys, owners and breeders, to achieve its objective through strategic reallocation of funds and internal cost saving.
RV chief executive Aaron Morrison has appreciated the industry-wide support and collaboration.
'We understand the importance of prizemoney through the ecosystem,' Morrison said.
'Grassroots is just as important as the top end.'
Key prizemoney changes include:
• 1400 country maidens, a third of all Victorian races, increased by $5000 across the board from Non-TAB ($20,000 up from $15,000) to premium ($55,000 up from $50,000);
• $55,000 (day/twilight) and $60,000 (night) maidens will be programmed on midweek metropolitan cards;
• Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and Group 1 Underwood Stakes increased from $750,000 to $1m;
• Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes now $1m (up from $200,000) ;
• Minimum prizemoney for all Listed and Group 3 races during the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup carnivals to increase from $175,000 to $200,000 (Listed) and $200,000 to $240,000 (Group 3).
• Resilient hoop has milestones in sight after rejections
'The prizemoney model for 2025-26 reflects a broad range of valuable submissions from our clubs and stakeholder groups whom we thank for their insights,' Morrison said.
'We also acknowledge the commitments from the MRC, VRC and MVRC to increase their contributions to lift prizemoney for key races next season.
'Prizemoney is the lifeblood for participants and owners and provides confidence to continue to invest in Victorian racing.
'At the heart of next season's prizemoney model is a strategic realignment to primarily turbo charge country maidens and to invest in flagship races that deliver maximum returns to the industry.'
RV has brought forward its planned scaling back of participant wellbeing and WorkCover levies – built into prizemoney – to August 1 (from February 2026) and freed up $1.4m as a result.
The overall welfare contribution (3.5 per cent) from August 1 will support equine (2 per cent), jockey (1 per cent) and participant wellbeing/WorkCover (0.5 per cent) initiatives.
