Derby and Oaks Sponsors Found
Vodafone and Juddmonte Step in to Sponsor Derby and Oaks
Racegoers can relax. Epsom Downs Racecourse has an experienced new Managing Director in Nick Blofeld who has successfully negotiated sponsorships for five of the principal races in its 229th running of the Derby Festival on Friday June 6 and Saturday June 7.
The Derby/Oaks weekend lost its thirteen-year sponsor Vodafone when the company decided to place its money elsewhere.
However Vodafone stepped in for one more year to help Epsom through its transition with a new Managing Director, completing a major renovation and struggling to secure long-term sponsors for the Festival on too-tight a timeline.
The Group 1 Derby and the Princess Elizabeth Stakes, moving to Saturday, will be sponsored by Vodafone.
Juddmonte Farms, owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah, will sponsor the Group 1 Oaks and Coronation Cup as well as the Group 3 Diomed Stakes on Friday only this year.
The 2008 Classics flat season opens with the Guineas 2000 (for three-year-old colts) and Guineas 1000 (for three-year-old fillies), run in 1 mile on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket Racecourse Saturday May 3 and Sunday May 4.
The Derby (for three-year-old colts and fillies) and the Oaks (for three-year-old fillies) are the second major Classics of the flat season. They are mid-distance races of 1 mile 4 furlongs on Britain's most challenging course.
Last year produced many exciting two-year olds who, at three, will be running on these two weekends. A total of 125 colts, including New Approach Ire (Gallileo Ire), are entered in the Derby and 91 fillies in the Oaks.
Jeep has agreed to partner and Woodford Reserve has joined them extending their participation in racing from its long association with the Kentucky Derby. Further race sponsorships will be announced.
Management and supporters are very grateful that the Derby Festival will continue at the highest standard and for a year's respite. It would have been sad if two of Britain's greatest Classic races had no sponsor.
Racegoers can relax. Epsom Downs Racecourse has an experienced new Managing Director in Nick Blofeld who has successfully negotiated sponsorships for five of the principal races in its 229th running of the Derby Festival on Friday June 6 and Saturday June 7.
The Derby/Oaks weekend lost its thirteen-year sponsor Vodafone when the company decided to place its money elsewhere.
However Vodafone stepped in for one more year to help Epsom through its transition with a new Managing Director, completing a major renovation and struggling to secure long-term sponsors for the Festival on too-tight a timeline.
The Group 1 Derby and the Princess Elizabeth Stakes, moving to Saturday, will be sponsored by Vodafone.
Juddmonte Farms, owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah, will sponsor the Group 1 Oaks and Coronation Cup as well as the Group 3 Diomed Stakes on Friday only this year.
The 2008 Classics flat season opens with the Guineas 2000 (for three-year-old colts) and Guineas 1000 (for three-year-old fillies), run in 1 mile on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket Racecourse Saturday May 3 and Sunday May 4.
The Derby (for three-year-old colts and fillies) and the Oaks (for three-year-old fillies) are the second major Classics of the flat season. They are mid-distance races of 1 mile 4 furlongs on Britain's most challenging course.
Last year produced many exciting two-year olds who, at three, will be running on these two weekends. A total of 125 colts, including New Approach Ire (Gallileo Ire), are entered in the Derby and 91 fillies in the Oaks.
Jeep has agreed to partner and Woodford Reserve has joined them extending their participation in racing from its long association with the Kentucky Derby. Further race sponsorships will be announced.
Management and supporters are very grateful that the Derby Festival will continue at the highest standard and for a year's respite. It would have been sad if two of Britain's greatest Classic races had no sponsor.
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