Vodafone and Epsom Downs Racecourse announce that the 2007 Derby will be the thirteenth and last occasion that Vodafone will sponsor this iconic sporting event.
Vodafone's current contract with Epsom Downs expires after this year's race, and following a review of its sponsorship portfolio the company has decided not to enter into negotiations for a further contract.
Simon Lewis, Vodafone's Group Corporate Affairs Director, commented, "Every major sponsorship has a natural cycle for commercial partners and we believe that after thirteen very successful years the time is right to hand over to another partner for The Derby. A priority for us has been to give Epsom Downs the maximum amount of notice possible given our long and mutually beneficial partnership. We will be working closely with the Epsom management to ensure a seamless transition to a new sponsor from 2008 onwards. The Derby is unique, and it has been a pleasure for everyone at Vodafone to have been involved with it."
Stephen Wallis, Managing Director of Epsom Downs Racecourse, commented, "Whilst we are sorry that Vodafone will not be continuing their sponsorship after this year, we totally understand their decision. We are very grateful for their support since 1995, during which time The Derby Festival has undergone some significant changes that have served to firmly re-establish its status as not only one of the great British sporting events but also one of the leading races in the world. We shall now start discussions with other parties who have expressed interest to us over the last few years."
. The winners of The Vodafone Derby were:
1995 LAMMTARRA
Owner: Sheikh Saeed Maktoum Al-Maktoum Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor Jockey:
Walter Swinburn
1996 SHAAMIT
Owner: Mr K Abdullah Dasmal Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: Michael Hills
1997 BENNY THE DIP
Owner: Mr L Knight Trainer: John Gosden Jockey: Willie Ryan
2002 HIGH CHAPARRAL
Owner: Mr M Tabor & Mrs J Magnier Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Jockey: Johnny Murtagh
2003 KRIS KIN
Owner: Mr Saeed Suhail Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute Jockey: Kieren Fallon
2004 NORTH LIGHT
Owner: Ballymacoll Stud Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute Jockey: Kieren Fallon
2005 MOTIVATOR
Owner: The Royal Ascot Racing Club Trainer: Michael Bell Jockey: Johnny Murtagh
2006 SIR PERCY
Owner: Mr A E Pakenham Trainer: Marcus Tregoning Jockey: Martin Dwyer
. The Derby was switched from a Wednesday to a Saturday at the beginning of the Vodafone era in 1995.
. Attendance at the event has risen since this change.
. An estimated 100,000 people attend The Vodafone Derby.
. 4.1 million people watched The 2006 Vodafone Derby live on BBC1, a 43% audience share.
. 226 countries took television pictures of The 2006 Vodafone Derby.
. The Derby has been run every year since 1780, without a break, only being moved from Epsom during wartime.
LUCKIEST OWNER RECOGNISES THOSE LESS FORTUNATE
Clive Smith, the owner of top chaser Kauto Star, has today presented The Brooke, Britain's largest overseas equine welfare charity, with a £125,000 cheque on behalf of Betfair in recognition of the millions of horses around the world that are not as fortunate as his own.
As Kauto Star prepares for his bid to win the Betfair Million, a striking comparison can be made between such prized equine talent and those horses, donkeys and mules tirelessly working for some of the poorest communities in the world. From Afghanistan to Jordan, Kenya to Guatemala, the Brooke's teams of mobile veterinary units reach the most vulnerable equine animals providing help where it is most needed.
Clive Smith said: "Racehorses in training in this country are lucky enough to have the best care possible, which throws the conditions experienced by the Brooke's beneficiaries into sharp relief. It is therefore important that charities such as these remain in the public eye and I am pleased to be associated with such a fantastic cause."
The presentation took place at Paul Nicholls' yard in Somerset. A donation of £125,000 was made by Betfair following a year of fundraising activity in the racing world as part of its 'Charity of the Year' initiative.
"Horses, donkeys and mules are working under horrendous conditions in many of the poorest communities around the world. Horseracing has really got behind the cause, and shown their support for the Brooke this past year," says Sir Peter O'Sullevan CBE, Brooke patron. "The Brooke is a fantastic organisation and a force for good, and all credit to Betfair for supporting their indispensable work."
Betfair's Press Officer Georgina Hard added, "Betfair has been proud to work with such a worthwhile cause as The Brooke. We'd like to thank Clive for offering his time to highlight the plight of the millions of suffering equines around the world."
SIX WINNERS TO SCOOP A QUARTER OF A MILLION
Soft conditions at Kempton and Warwick last weekend made it difficult for punters and the totescoop6 was no different as all players were knocked out after a fourth leg victory by 20/1 winner Verasi. It means that the bet is yet to be won this year and leaves £133,523 in the win fund and a further £159,656 in the bonus kitty. With so much up for grabs a single person that can pick the six winners on Saturday would pick up £1/4 million, before they even have to worry about the bonus.
Races this week are divided between Lingfield and Wincanton.
Paul Petrie, totepool spokesman commented, "The New Year has started slowly for totescoop6 players but with the possibility of winning £1/4 million by picking six winners they will be hoping for a change in fortune this weekend."
totescoop6 Legs
Leg 1 2.05 Lingfield
Leg 2 2.50 Wincanton
Leg 3 3.10 Lingfield
Leg 4 3.20 Wincanton
Leg 5 3.40 Lingfield
Leg 6 3.50 Wincanton
Win Fund - £133,523
Bonus Fund - £159,656
2007 MARTIN WILLS AWARDS LAUNCHED
WRITING AWARDS FOR UNDER 26s/19s
£2,500 in prizes plus the opportunity to be published
The Martin Wills Memorial Trust, a UK-registered charity, is offering its 15th annual awards for creative writing (fact or fiction) on, or with a background in, any aspect of horseracing by young people resident in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. Particular importance will be attached to originality, use of language, and entertainment - a detailed knowledge of horseracing is unnecessary.
Those aged under 26 at 1 January 2007 (other than employees of the national and racing press and previous winners in their category, who are ineligible) are invited to submit a single typewritten article of under 1,200 words by 28 February 2007 to the Trustees, The Martin Wills Memorial Trust, Henley Knapp Barn, Fulwell, Chipping Norton, Oxon, OX7 4EN (fax: 01608-678 052) or by e-mail to willswritingawards@postmaster.co.uk. Name, date of birth, address and telephone number should be stated. The article must not be published prior to the announcement of the winners of the awards. No correspondence will be entered into, entries will not be returned, and the judges' decision is final.
The prizes will be £1,250 to the winner and £750 to the runner-up, with £500 for the best other entry from someone aged under 19 at 1 January 2007. In addition, the winning articles will be published in the Racing Post and The Irish Field, and work experience on the Racing Post will be on offer. Further, the winner of the under 26 award will retain for a year a bronze trophy of two galloping horses by Gill Wiles. The awards will be announced and presented at the Craven Meeting at Newmarket on Wednesday 18 April 2007, where those successful will be given an expenses paid day's racing, including a reception in a private luncheon room generously made available by the Racecourse, plus a tour of two leading stables.
This year's five judges are: Brough Scott, Editorial Director of the Racing Post, sports feature writer of The Sunday Telegraph and for 30 years chief presenter of Channel 4 Racing (Chairman); Eamon Dunphy, radio and TV personality in Ireland and a former professional football player; Lisa Hancock, Managing Director of Newmarket Racecourses; Chris McGrath, racing correspondent for The Independent and winner of the Trust's inaugural competition in 1993; and Catherine Wills, DPhil art historian sister of Martin Wills.
The 2006 under 26 competition was won by 24 year old Thomas Reed from Northampton, a Warwick University History graduate and a marketing assistant. The runner-up was 23 year old James Milton from Diss, Norfolk, a Leeds University graduate in English Language and Literature with publishing ambitions. The 2006 under 19 competition, for the best under 19 entry, was won by 18 year old Georgina Hibberd from Hilmarton, near Calne in Wiltshire, a pupil at Wootton Bassett School.
The Martin Wills Memorial Trust commemorates Martin Wills, an amateur jockey, point-to-point rider, racing enthusiast and journalist who died in April 1992, aged 39.
Information on the awards is available on www.mrwc.org.uk/willswritingawards.
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