World No.1 Scott Brash has elected to withdraw Hello Sanctos from Britain’s European Championship selection in favor of the 2015 Spruce Meadows Masters presented by Rolex. The September event in Calgary, Alberta will host the third leg of the prestigious Rolex Grand Slam, offering the $1.5 Million CP International Grand Prix presented by Rolex. Brash has already won the 2014 Grand Prix of Geneve presented by Rolex aboard Hello Sanctos and only weeks ago, claimed the € 1 Million Grand Prix of Aachen presented by Rolex to become the first rider in the sport’s history to claim two consecutive Rolex Grand Prix events included in the prestigious Rolex Grand Slam.
Following his victory in Aachen, Brash will receive a €500,000 bonus in September if he enters the Spruce Meadows Masters. This, in addition to the €330,000 share of the prize for the Grand Prix of Aachen as well as the €250,000 cheque he received for his victory of the CHI de Geneve Grand Prix last December amounts to a total of €1.08 Million in prize money.
Brash will have received over €1 Million in prize money within the Rolex Grand Slam, if he sets his sights on a big pay out in September, by entering to compete at the Spruce Meadows Masters.
If Brash takes the CP Grand Prix this September at the Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament, he and Hello Sanctos will become the first combination to take all three Grand Prix events of Rolex Grand Slam, earning the € 1 Million bonus in addition to the customary pay out. If Brash wins the CP Grand Prix presented by Rolex, he will earn the customary $500,000 pay out. This along with the € 1 Million bonus, will bring his total earnings to € 2.5 Million in ten months.
About the Rolex Grand Slam
The system of the Rolex Grand Slam is simple: Anyone, who wins three shows in a row, receives € 1 million on top of the prize-money of each show. Moreover, anyone who wins two out of the three shows, also receives a bonus. If two shows are won in succession, the bonus is € 500,000. If the rider is successful in qualifying for the “two out of three mode”, but doesn’t claim the victories at two consecutive shows, the bonus total € 250,000. It is only the rider that counts, not the horse. It is possible to claim the bonus riding different horses. This system is infinite, it is not limited to a calendar year. It is a never ending story.