Ascot
today announces that QIPCO Holding have entered into a five-year partnership
with the racecourse headlined by sponsorship of the King George VI & Queen
Elizabeth Stakes (please note the embargo above).
The
arrangement will see the existing sponsors of QIPCO British Champions Day and
the British Champions Series extend their portfolio of sponsorship in British
Racing to an unprecedented level of investment and commitment.
The £1
million King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes sponsored by QIPCO will
become the third seven figure value race annually at Ascot under their
sponsorship, joining the £1.3 million QIPCO Champion Stakes and £1 million
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO.
As an
Official Partner of Ascot, QIPCO Holding will also enjoy annual branding rights
across the site, including at the Royal Meeting, with benefits such as stalls
and stalls handlers' branding for all six races on the opening day.
Sheikh
Fahad bin Abdullah Al Thani, Director of QIPCO Holding, said:
"My
brothers and I are delighted to extend our relationship with Ascot through
QIPCO's sponsorship of the King George. The race is the defining mid-summer
middle distance contest in Europe and, in recent years, it has become a truly
international event.
"On
account of the course being the home of QIPCO British Champions Day, together
with the heritage and the quality of racing at the Royal Meeting, Ascot means a
great deal to us, so it is a privilege for QIPCO Holding to become an Official
Partner.
"The
addition of the King George into QIPCO's sponsorship portfolio works very well
for us as not only is the race of the highest quality, but also the timing is
excellent. QIPCO are already proud to sponsor the launch of the British
Champions Series with the Guineas Festival at Newmarket so the addition of the
King George, together with the Sussex Stakes, provides a perfect mid-summer
platform, before culminating with the season's finale and the most valuable
day's racing in Britain, QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot."
Charles
Barnett, Chief Executive at Ascot, said:
"We
are delighted to be extending our already very strong relationship with QIPCO
Holding and would like to extend our thanks particularly to Sheikh Hamad bin
Abdullah Al Thani and Sheikh Fahad bin Abdullah Al Thani for their continued
patronage of and vision for British Racing.
"The
Al Thani family has, in a very short period, changed the face of British Racing
both as sponsors and owners, and they were instrumental in establishing the
QIPCO British Champions Series and QIPCO British Champions Day. It is very
exciting for us to be working with QIPCO Holding on the promotion of Europe's
mid-summer all-age premier race, 'The King George,' and we welcome them too as
Official Partners.
"I
would like to thank Betfair for their five year sponsorship of the King George,
during which time we have seen some tremendous performances and participation
from horses from all over Europe and from Japan. I am particularly pleased that
they will be remaining as sponsors of the Betfair Ascot Chase in
February."
Mark
Ody, Betfair's Brand Director, added:
"We
look forward to another great Betfair Ascot Chase in 2014 and a continued
relationship with one of the most pioneering racecourses in the world. By
offering customers in-running betting and Cash Out, Betfair is helping
horserace betting evolve and compete with other sports to ensure it is as
exciting as possible for punters and racegoers."
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