CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2023 starts on March 14, and many jockeys will be hoping for a payday they will never forget.
The prize money up for grabs at Cheltenham is huge and is life-changing to many jockeys taking part.
Rachael Blackmore celebrates on A Plus Tard after winning the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup ChaseAFP via GETTY
What is the prize money for winning at Cheltenham?
For each race that is ran at Cheltenham Festival, there is a healthy prize pot up for grabs.
Here is the total prize money for some of the key races that take place at Cheltenham Festival:
The Cheltenham Gold Cup – £614,813 (total) £351,688 (winner)The Champion Hurdle – £442,665 (total) £253,215 (winner)Queen Mother Champion Chase – £392,120 (total) £226,672 (winner)Ryanair Chase – £367,613 (total) £211,425 (winner)The Stayers’ Hurdle £319,703 (total) £182,878 (winner)Arkle Challenge Trophy – £179,157 (total) £102,482 (winner)Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – £172,148 (total) £98,558 (winner)Turners Novices’ Chase – £163,415 (total) £101,564 (winner)Spa Novices’ Hurdle – £137,545 (total) £78,680 (winner)JCB Triumph Hurdle – £132,800 (total) £75,965 (winner)Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – £132,800 (total) £76,594 (winner)Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle – £132,800 (total) £76,030 (winner)Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase – £122,963 (total) £70,338 (winner)
How much do the jockeys get paid for winning at Cheltenham Festival?
The prize money is split between the owner of the horse, the trainer, the jockey and the stable staff.
From the total winning prize, the jockey usually takes home between 8 and 9 percent of the winnings.
For jockeys that place, they normally take around 3.5% of the placed prize money, which is the money left in the pot after the winner takes their share.
Regardless of where they finish, jockeys are guaranteed some income, with the riding fees set at £164.74 for jump riders and £120.66 for flat racing jockeys.
T J O’Brien celebrates after winning at the 2022 Cheltenham FestivalREUTERS
Cheltenham day-by-day schedule
Tuesday March 14
1.30: Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle ITV1
2.10: Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase ITV1
2.50: Ultima Handicap Chase ITV1
3.30: Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy ITV1
4.10: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle ITV1
4.50: The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race Racing TV/ bookmakers’ stream
5.20: The Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup Racing TV/ bookmakers’ stream
Wednesday March 15
1.30: Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle ITV4
2.10: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase ITV1
2.50: Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle ITV1
3.30: Queen Mother Champion Chase ITV1
4.10: Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase ITV1
4.50: The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup Racing TV/ bookies’ stream
5.30: The Weatherbys Champion Bumper Racing TV/ bookies’ stream
Thursday March 16
1.30: Turners Novices’ Chase ITV1
2.10: Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle ITV1
2.50: Ryanair Chase ITV1
3.30: Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle ITV1
4.10: Plate Handicap Chase ITV1
4.50: The Mares Novices’ Hurdle Racing TV/ bookies’ stream
5.30: Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Racing TV/ bookies’ stream
Friday March 17
1.30: JCB Triumph Hurdle ITV1
2.10: McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle ITV1
2.50: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle ITV1
3.30: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase ITV1
4.10: St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase ITV1
4.50: The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Steeple Chase Racing TV/ bookies’ stream
5.30: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle Racing TV/ bookies’ stream
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