News & Press

20th November 2009: NEPTUNE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT BACK £50,000 HANDICAP CHASE AT CHELTENHAM ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11

Cheltenham Racecourse is delighted to announce Neptune Investment Management as the new sponsor of the £50,000 Listed Handicap Chase run over three miles, one and a half furlongs, on day on one of the Boylesports International, Friday, December 11.

The Neptune Investment Management Handicap Chase is the highlight of a seven-race programme and was won last year by Mon Mome, who subsequently landed a memorable 100/1 success in the John Smith's Grand National.

First run in 1963, the contest boasts an impressive roll of honour with the likes of The Dikler, Rubstic, Diamond Edge, Brown Chamberlin, Flashing Steel, Marlborough and Kingscliff all having triumphed.

Georgina Pardoe, Marketing Director at Neptune Investment Management, said: "We are delighted to announce that we are to be the sponsor of the prestigious Listed Neptune Investment Management Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Friday, December 11, 2009.

"As the feature race on the Friday of the December meeting, and one in which Mon Mome was winner last year and who subsequently was the 100/1 victor of the Grand National, we are looking forward to an exciting field of top class handicap chasers.

"This agreement with Cheltenham, the home of Jump racing, represents our first corporate sponsorship in horse racing and gives us the opportunity to support the sport, which directly or indirectly employs over 90,000 people, during a difficult year. As a new sponsor in racing, we have been impressed by the enthusiasm and professionalism offered by the team at Cheltenham."

Neptune was founded in 2002 as an independent and privately owned investment management company, built upon principles of teamwork and partnership. Approximately three quarters of the company is owned by its employees and directors, ensuring the interests of staff and clients are properly aligned.

The two-day two day Boylesports International takes place at Cheltenham on Friday, December 11 and Saturday, December 12. Saturday's two principal contests are the £150,000 Grade Three Boylesports.com Gold Cup, a handicap chase over two miles and five furlongs and the £150,000 Grade Two Boylesports.com International, a leading trail for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.

14th October 2009: BETFAIR TO BE NEW SPONSORS OF THE CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS TRAINING SERIES

BETFAIR are today announced as the new sponsors of the Conditional Jockeys Training Series, which commences on at Kelso on Saturday, October 17th.

Betfair now sponsor both the Apprentice Training Series and the Conditional Jockeys Series, which means that they support a year-round grass roots programme of races which have been structured to develop the race riding skills and professionalism of inexperienced riders.

The series, under Betfair's new sponsorship, has also been extended from eight races to 12, and culminates in a valuable final at the Perth Festival on the April 23rd, Highlands National day.

The Betfair Conditional Jockeys Training Series is for jockeys who have ridden no more than 20 winners at the start of the series; they are designed to be the next step on from the Hands and Heels series in terms of further developing race riding skills, under the coaching of the British Racing School's Steve Smith-Eccles.

Unlike the Hands and Heels races jockeys are permitted to use their whips but only in the backhand position, thereby further educating riders in responsible use of the whip.

Betfair will be providing a prize working holiday with a leading foreign trainer to the value of £3,500. They will also be providing a best turned out prize for each race of £100 to the winning groom.

Steve Smith-Eccles, British Racing School Jockey Coach comments: "The Conditional Jockeys Training Series enables slightly more experienced riders to continue receiving jockey coaching and race riding opportunities against other riders with a similar level of experience. It very much helps to launch their future race riding careers and demonstrates to the racing public that the Industry is taking the training of its upcoming jockeys very seriously, particularly with regards to developing responsible use of the whip and a professional approach to race riding. I'm really looking forward to working with the conditionals riding in this series."

Tony Calvin, Betfair's Head Of Media, said: "Although Betfair may be better known as sponsors of Ascot racecourse and the King George, as well as other Grade 1 races such as the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock, we have always supported the sport on a number of levels, from the grass roots upwards.

"This ranges from joint-sponsoring the PJA's dedicated doctor to our support of these race series for up-and-coming jockeys, and we are delighted to extend that to the sponsorship of the Conditional Jockeys Training Series."