CHANGE TO ENTRY CONDITIONS FOR GRAND MILITARY GOLD CUP AT SANDOWN PARK
The Grand Military Gold Cup (sponsored by Army Sports Control Board) at Sandown Park (Tuesday 7th March) has a change to its entry conditions for 2023, with the owners of runners in the contest no longer needing to have a recognised military link.
The military connection remains strong however, with the riders in the Grand Military Gold Cup still needing to be Military Amateur Jockeys as defined in the race conditions.
Explaining the changes, Sandown Park’s Clerk of the Course Andrew Cooper said: “The change to the ownership requirement for the Grand Military Gold Cup has come about in order to hopefully maximise both the field size and riding opportunities for Military Amateur Jockeys.
“Fewer horses nowadays are owned by people with a direct military link than was the case in the past. Most runners in the race these days are leased for the day to military owners or to regiments, which is not always a straightforward process
“The Grand Military Gold Cup is an important part of Sandown Park’s heritage and hopefully this change to the ownership requirement will ensure its continuation for many years to come and give more Military Amateur Jockeys the chance to have their big day.
“A similar discussion took place for the Castel Royal Artillery Gold Cup (Thursday 16th February) but it has been agreed to leave conditions for that contest unaltered, so owners will still need to have a Royal Artillery link as defined in the race conditions.”
In 2023, the Castel Royal Artillery Gold Cup and the Grand Military Gold Cup have increased prize money of £15,000 each. Both contests are conditions races for horses aged six and upwards rated 0-130. Both races are staged over three miles.
The Grand Military Gold Cup is complemented on 7th March by another contest for Military Amateur Jockeys, the £10,000 Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Memorial Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle over two miles. This race has not had any military ownership requirements for a number of years.