What is the prize money for the 2,000 Guineas?

The 2,000 Guineas, open to three-year-old colts and fillies only and run over a straight mile on the Rowley Mile Course at Newmarket in late April or early May, is the second youngest of the English Classic horse races. Established by the Jockey Club, under the direction of Chairman, Sir Charles Bunbury, in 1809, the 2,000 Guineas took its name from its original prize fund; a guinea amounted to £1/1/- in pre-decimal currency, so the race was originally worth £2,100 in prize money.

According to the Bank of England inflation calculator, with inflation averaged at 2.1% a year over the intervening two centuries or so, £2,100 in 1809 equates to £170,895.00 by 2019 standards. Since 2011, the 2,000 Guineas has been sponsored by Qatari investment company Qipco and constitutes the first race of the season in the ‘Mile’ division of the British Champions’ Series. In 2019, the 2,000 Guineas was actually worth a total of £500,000, with a first prize of £283,550, so it would be fair to say that the race has fared well, in inflationary terms.