First Horse Racing Network has learned that QIPCO, a Qatari horse racing investment company, has announced that it will stop sponsoring a number of race-related races, including the 2,000 Guinea Stakes, the 1,000 Geini Stakes and the upcoming Emperor's Stakes.
As the Emperor's Championship will be held next month, the organisers need to find new sponsors within a short period of time. As for the British Champions Series and British Champions Raceday, QIPCO will sponsor them until 2026.
图片来自Edward Whitaker
Ascot believes that many of their races have returned to the prestigious world and will certainly be able to attract new sponsors.
图片来自Edward Whitaker
While Qipco has decided to end its long-term support for these events by the end of the year, it has extended its main sponsorship of UK Champions Day and official partnership with Ascot until 2026.
The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Championship, won by the 'Order' (Hukum) last year, has been sponsored by the company since 2014. The final day of the Qipco-sponsored Summer Group 1 will take place on July 27 at Ascot.
Nick Smith, Director of Racing at Ascot, said: "We are very grateful to Qipco for their continued sponsorship of the King George VI Series, which we have brought the impact back to its best, and last year it was reconsidered the best race in the UK by the majority of the race. Our relationship with Qipco will continue through the Ascot partnership, with a focus on the Royal Ascot Turf Club.
图片来自Edward Whitaker
Qipco has been a sponsor of the 2,000 Guinea Stakes and the 1,000 Guinea Stakes for 14 consecutive years, and in the first classic it sponsored, Frankel won the race, which is one of the horse's signature races.
Headquartered in Doha and led by Sheikh Hamad Al Thani, the Doha-run, family-run investment firm gave a major boost to UK horse racing in 2015 with a high-profile announcement of a multi-million-pound ten-year investment in horse racing.
David Redvers, manager and sponsor representative of the racing investment company, said: "We want to focus on developing UK Champions Day and our partnership with Ascot at the Royal Jockey Club. ”
"We feel like we've helped grow the UK Champions Series over the last 14 years and are proud that it has over 1 million followers on social media platforms." Redfuss said.
"We will continue to strongly support the British Champions Series. We're proud to have been able to help New Market maintain the importance of its Kinny Festival during our involvement, which included a record prize money for two Classics. Redfuss said.
图片来自Edward Whitaker
Qipco became the first sponsor of the UK Champions Day in 2011.
"His Highnesses Sheikh Hamad and Fahd Al Thani were first involved in British motorsport to help elevate the sport to the top," Redfus said.
"They remain proud of the success of Qipco's British Champions Day, a rare innovation in horse racing. As well as cementing the competition's place in the world of equestrianism, we are delighted to be able to produce a new, younger audience to watch the day's races and showcase the sport we love to future fans." ”
图片来自Edward Whitaker