Nick Smith’s trips to Australia to recruit horses for England’s races are nothing new, but the Director of Racing and Public Affairs at Ascot has adjusted his travel plans for 2025.

Smith will visit Melbourne and Sydney late next month to promote new incentives targeting a broader range of Australian horses, beyond his usual focus on open-age sprinters.

He’ll attend Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill and Flemington on Australian Cup Day to spread the word about the British Mid-Summer Bonus, which is linked to the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

Up to £1 million in bonuses will be offered to non-European owners or trainers who send horses to contest both the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot (2406m) and the Group 1 Sussex Stakes (1609m) at Goodwood in July. The £1 million bonus will go to those who win both races under the same ownership or training, while a £250,000 bonus will be paid for placing in both races.

Additionally, horses that win either the King George or Sussex Stakes and run in the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York will receive a £250,000 appearance fee. Horses placed in these races that later compete in the Juddmonte International will earn a £150,000 appearance fee.

“This gives the VRC and Racing Victoria a chance to really push their flagship middle-distance autumn race,” Smith said, reflecting on how this could complement Australia’s racing scene. “Sprinters traveling now is almost routine, so why not broaden the scope?”

Another focus for Smith is promoting the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup (1207m) at Royal Ascot, aimed at Australian two-year-olds. “The horses that run in the Golden Slipper can run in the Commonwealth Cup,” Smith explained, emphasizing the advantage Australian horses have as they would compete as three-year-olds in Europe with a 10-pound weight break.

Following his time in Australia, Smith will travel to Japan and plans to be in Dubai for the World Cup meeting on April 5.