Changes For 2024 Diamond Classic Are Announced

Changes to the 2024 Inglis Jewellers Diamond Classic were announced by Truro Raceway on Thursday, April 25. This was because the necessary number of places for the filly and colt classes did not sell out.

Truro Raceway has modified the eligibility and money distribution of the race in consultation with industry representatives and horse enthusiasts.

The eligibility requirements for the race will be expanded to include both Atlantic-sired and foaled two-year-olds, instead of just the former.

The purse allocation will also be altered, with only the top five finishers receiving payments. The purse allocation in an eight-horse field will be 45-25-15-10-5. The winner will also get an original piece of artwork featuring their horse by harness artist Michelle Hogan and a $2,500 diamond necklace from Inglis Jewellers.

The guaranteed purse will stay at $50,000, and the slots will continue to be $6,000 per.  We will extend the deadline for slot purchases to Friday, May 31, 2024. The race at Truro Raceway is set for November 3, 2024.

“The industry spoke loudly by not buying anywhere close to enough slots to fill either division," said Steve Fitzsimmons, Truro Raceway's General Manager. "We made these changes, after considering the feedback we received from the industry. Allowing Atlantic-foaled two-year-olds as well as Atlantic-sired will open up the race to a significant number of additional horses and those horses were still bred in Atlantic Canada, so we feel it still significantly supports our breeders, one of the goals of this race." We made some changes as well to the purse distribution, to be better aligned with what our industry felt was appropriate. Given these changes, the new deadline will be May 31 and we’re very hopeful that two-year-old owners and trainers of Atlantic-sired or foaled two-year-olds will be more inclined to support this race.”