Cheltenham Racecourse is pleased to announce JLT as the new
sponsor of the Grade One two and a half-mile novices' chase at The Festival on
St Patrick's Thursday, March 13.
First
run in 2011 and previously backed by Jewson, the JLT Novices' Chase has quickly
established itself as a very valuable addition to The Festival. Initially a
Grade Two contest, it has been upgraded to Grade One status for the 2014
renewal and carries a prize fund of £120,000.
JLT is
no stranger to sponsorship at The Festival, having supported the extended
three-mile handicap chase on the opening Tuesday, Champion Day, in 2012 and
2013.
All
three renewals of the JLT Novices' Chase so far have gone to Ireland, with
Noble Prince successful in 2011, Sir Des Champs taking the 2012 running and
Benefficient winning last year.
Sir Des
Champs, trained by Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins, is now proven as one
of the best chasers of his generation with three Grade One victories and a
second place in the 2013 Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. The Tony Martin-trained
Benefficient, won a Grade One contest at Leopardstown last month and is
prominent in the ante-post market for both the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion
Chase and the Ryanair Chase at this year's Festival.
Jonathan
Palmer-Brown, Chairman of International Specialty, JLT, said: "JLT is
delighted to build on its longstanding relationship with racing and more
recently Cheltenham, to now sponsor the JLT Novices' Chase.
"This
is a race for rising young stars and has now been recognised with Grade One
status. Over the past few years, JLT has grown in size to compete successfully
with all the major insurance broking organisations and this race, which is a
stepping stone for the champions of the future, exemplifies our own success.
"We
are also proud to maintain our association with The Festival at Cheltenham and
intend to promote a few races next year for novices on the way to the
championship as well."
Ian
Renton, Regional Director of the South West for Jockey Club Racecourses, added:
"It is great news that JLT will be sponsoring the JLT Novices' Chase on
the Thursday of The Festival. As previous sponsors at the event, I'm really
glad that they have extended their sponsorship to a Grade One race and that
next season they will look to extend that sponsorship to cover some of those
races that form The Road to Cheltenham."
"In
the three runnings since it was created in 2011, we have seen Sir Des Champs
and Benefficient take the honours, both of whom have gone on to win at the
highest level.
"This
year could see the likes of Oscar Whisky and Wonderful Charm as possible
contenders, as well as last year's Festival winner Champagne Fever, so it
should be as competitive as ever."
About
The Festival
The
Festival runs from Tuesday, March 11 to Friday, March 14 inclusive and is the
embodiment of everything that is great about Cheltenham. It is four days of
atmosphere, anticipation and action, played out on a beautiful sporting arena
that has no equal. The Festival features the best and the bravest horses and
jockeys, nervous and excited trainers and owners, and a wide cast of human
characters who come together every year determined to have the time of their
lives. For racing's practitioners, Festival glory provides lifelong memories
that will never fade and defines careers. Witness the sheer elation of winning
connections as they return to the cheers of the crowd and you are seeing dreams
fulfilled and years of planning and effort coming to fruition. The Festival is
one of those rare events that engages everyone who comes into contact with it,
never failing to produce award-winning drama, enjoyment, camaraderie and
sporting excellence in a cocktail for which no hangover cure is required. It
truly is a life affirming four days.
About
Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham
Racecourse is situated in Prestbury on the outskirts of the historic spa town
of Cheltenham. The Home of Jump Racing, Cheltenham Racecourse is the venue for
the world's pre-eminent Jump Racing meeting, The Festival, which takes place in
March every year. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Cotswolds,
Cheltenham Racecourse is a stunning natural amphitheatre and offers the
highest-quality action throughout the Jump season. Cheltenham has been voted
Britain's Racecourse of the Year for the last 10 years by members of the
Racegoers Club. Please find more details at www.cheltenham.co.uk and through Twitter
(@CheltenhamRaces) and Facebook www.facebook.com/thehomeofjumpracing
Cheltenham
Racecourse is part of The Jockey Club, which has been at the heart of British
racing for more than 260 years. Today the largest commercial group in the
sport, The Jockey Club runs the largest racecourse group in the UK by turnover
(2012: £142.1m), courses (15) including those at Aintree, Cheltenham, Epsom
Downs and Newmarket, attendances (2012: 1.8m), total prize money (2012:
£35.3m), contribution to prize money (2012: £16.5m) and quality racing (Group
and Graded races); more than 3,000 acres of world-class training grounds in
Newmarket and Lambourn; The National Stud breeding enterprise and education
provider; and the charity for racing's people in need, Racing Welfare. Governed
by Royal Charter, every penny The Jockey Club makes it puts back into British
racing. More information is available at www.thejockeyclub.co.uk
About
JLT
JLT is
one of the world's largest providers of insurance, reinsurance and employee
benefits related advice, brokerage and associated services. Our client
proposition is built upon our deep specialist knowledge, client advocacy,
tailored advice and service excellence. Together, we place our clients first,
champion independent thinking and expect to be judged on the results we
deliver.
JLT
owns offices in 39 territories with some 9,000 employees, supported by the JLT
International Network, enabling us to offer risk management and employee
benefit solutions in 135 countries.
The
Group was formed in February 1997 by the merger of Jardine Insurance Brokers
and Lloyd Thompson Group. Lloyd Thompson was founded in 1981 and listed on the
London Stock Exchange in October 1987.
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