Mauritius boosts 2026 horse-racing prize money by 30%, adds retroactive bonus for 2025

The Mauritius Turf Club Jockey Club says the new stakes scale starts with the 2026 season and includes a 10% back-payment on 2025 earnings for owners and trainers.

The MTC Jockey Club Ltd (MTCJC) has announced a 30% increase in stakes money effective from the start of the 2026 racing season, calculated on the stakes levels in place on the last race day of the 2025 season.

The club reminded stakeholders that a 15% stakes increase (with retroactive effect) was granted mid-season in 2025. Taken together, the two adjustments amount to an overall 50% rise from the opening race meeting on 2 August 2025 to the start of the new 2026 season, as Mauritius continues its push to revive racing at Champ de Mars.

In addition, MTCJC announced an extra 10% retroactive payment on all stakes earned during the 2025 season, aimed at recognising the commitment and investment of owners and trainers.

The 2026 calendar is now set to begin with RM1 on Saturday, 25 April 2026, after MTCJC and the Trainers’ Association agreed to delay the season start by one week while maintaining a 27-meeting schedule.

For the wider racing ecosystem—including regulated wagering linked to the sport—higher purses typically support stronger participation and competitiveness, but the real test will be whether the new stakes structure translates into sustained field quality once the season gets underway in late April.