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Great British Bonus Set for Milestone Year

Final registration deadline for 2-year-old fillies arrives Feb. 28.

Grant Pritchard-Gordon (left)

Grant Pritchard-Gordon (left)

Sarah Farnsworth/Goffs

The Great British Bonus' final registration deadline for 2-year-old fillies arrives Feb. 28 and, with numbers up on the 2018 crop, a landmark figure of £2 million paid out in prizes is likely to be reached within a year of the scheme's launch.  

With racing canceled last spring due to COVID-19, the scheme was pushed back to late May but bonus wins quickly followed for eligible British-bred fillies and mares on the flat and over jumps. 

Since the scheme's first winner Pelekai struck at Newcastle June 2, over 110 winners have been rewarded with £1.7 million in bonuses.

Manager Grant Pritchard-Gordon explained: "The numbers are actually considerably up on the 2018 crop. Until the final figures are produced on Monday, I cannot give an exact number, but there will be 25% more fillies running for GBB bonuses.

"The number of opportunities has much increased, with these 2019 fillies able to win bonuses in auction and median auction races, as well as the program for 3-year-olds.

"We want to see very many more bonus winners, with lucky owners shouting from the rooftops when their fillies win multiple bonuses," he added. "We want to substantially build on our record of bonus distribution. 

"We want to build again on the scheme's influence in the sales ring and persuade as many breeders as possible to join us on this road to survival."