Challenge


Bank of America Racing Challenge 2018 Challenge Fees
The AQHA Racing Challenge program to adjust fees in 2018.

Bank of America Racing Challenge 2018 Challenge Fees

AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION—NOVEMBER 2, 2017— For the past 25 years, the Bank of America Racing Challenge program has offered racing American Quarter Horses more opportunities at every level – from juvenile to aged horses. In the history of the program, it has offered maiden, bonus and regional challenge races around North and South America, as well as the year-end Bank of America Challenge Championships, which brings top regional horses together to compete for rich purses.

The program continues to offer additional opportunities for more horses, and in 2018, Racing Challenge enrollment fees will remain the same. Horses can be enrolled for life for as little as $300 when payments are made in their weanling year. The cost is $600 for yearlings; $2,500 for 2-year-olds before March 15; $8,000 for 2-year-olds between March 16 and December 31; and $20,000 for 3-year-olds and older.

Effective January 1, 2018, race payments will total $1,200 for all Racing Challenge regional races, including the Bank of America Championship Challenge, Adequan Derby Challenge, John Deere Juvenile Challenge, Merial Distaff Challenge and Distance Challenge races.

"Race payments have not increased in the past 14 years, and the new race payment fee is relative to the cost of inflation within the industry," said Janet VanBebber, AQHA chief racing officer. "The increase will help build purses and continue to help the horses and horsemen competing within the Challenge program."

A time-of-entry payment for the Challenge Championships, which was in place for 10 years during the program, is being re-instituted. The time-of-entry payment will occur in the fall, and will be $2,500 for the Bank of America Challenge Championship, and $1,000 each for the Adequan Derby Challenge Championship, John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship, Merial Distaff Challenge Championship and Distance Challenge Championship races.

"While we know the fee increases will affect our members, these fees are lower than other similar races and are comparable to industry standards for other Grade 1 races, such as the Remington Park Invitational Championship (G1), Zia Park Championship (G1) and Championship at Sunland Park (G1)," said VanBebber.

For more information on AQHA racing, visit www.aqharacing.com. AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHARacing on Twitter, watch the AQHA Racing Newscast and visit www.aqharacing.com.