The New York tracks, with year-round racing, rich purses and high-level horses, would become the prime piece of programming for his empire.

Barbaro appeared to have a bright future on grass, but the richest purses and the most prestige are in dirt-track races.

In addition, this tournament now has the richest purse in golf, $6 million, with $1.08 million going to the winner.

Brady comfortably defeated the Californian to win the first prize of $50,000, still the richest purse in the sport's history.

Is it the hardness of the racing surfaces, the length of the racing year or the rush to rich purses?

It was played from January 8-11, 1992, and had one the richest purses on the Tour at that time, offering R47,130 to the winner.

At its inception, the track offered some of the richest purses in the history of American steeplechase including a $750,000 race.

Pelling's horses have won two of the last three editions of the race, which offers the richest purse for state-bred horses.

It was one of the richest purses on the Sunshine Tour at the time with a first place winners share of R71,100.

Claiming races have claim amounts which vary, and higher amounts tend to have richer purses.