CHRIS WALLER AND CIARON MAHER GO TOE TO TOE WITH THE PRIZE-MONEY PREMIERSHIP AT STAKE

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Call it the ‘prize-money premiership’ if you like … two heavy-hitters going toe to toe in the final round in their quest to become the racing stable with the most prize-money earned for the season.

No prizes for guessing the combatants are Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher.

It really is quite incredible to think that, between them, these two stables have reeled in over $100 million in prize-money over the last twelve months. Even allowing for the lofty level of prize-money on offer in this day and age and the strength of these two stables in targeting lucrative feature races, that figure is quite amazing.

According to the figures reported on Racenet, Waller goes the final days of the season (today and tomorrow) leading that charge by $157 170 … $51 610 300 to Maher’s $51 453 130 … with both stable’s having multiple entries over the remaining meetings.

To be this close together in prize-money earnings on such large figures underlines the cut and thrust nature of this duel which has continued between these top two trainers throughout the season.

While Waller remains favourite to keep the prize-money premiership, Maher has retained the National Trainer’s Premiership with 342 winners at this time (Waller currently has 291 national winners) … but, then again, Waller has edged out Maher in the chase for the most Group 1 winners this season (twelve to ten) … and so it goes on … and will undoubtedly continue when everyone starts with a clean slate on August 1.

The final day of the season tomorrow will, in all likelihood, be just another day at the office for Waller and Maher … which means they will probably come away with a couple of winners as usual to put the finishing touch on their respective, highly successful seasons.

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