Thursday, November 25, 2004

RECORD 44 FOR bonusprint.com GOLD CUP

Lambourn-based Nicky Henderson is seeking his third consecutive success in the Grade Three event, having won the prestigious handicap chase over two miles and five furlongs in 2002 with Fondmort, entered again, and Iris Royal last year. In addition to Fondmort, the trainer could also be represented by Calling Brave, a Grade Two winner at Kempton last season, Scots Grey and Non So.

Martin Pipe's two successes in the bonusprint.com Gold Cup came with Northern Starlight six years ago and Fragrant Dawn in 1993 and the champion trainer has plenty of ammunition this year with no less than 10 possibles to choose from. These include Seebald, who made Best Mate work hard for victory at Exeter last week, two of last season's leading novice chasers in Therealbandit and Our Vic plus Celestial Gold, who gave the trainer a seventh success in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on November 13 during The Open.

Pipe could also run Vodka Bleu, who was also successful at The Open when taking the Jim Brown Memorial Novices' Chase, Puntal, Mondial Jack, It Takes Time, Iznogoud and Latitude.

Of those that ran behind Celestial Gold in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, several could reoppose Pipe's charge including the runner-up Thisthatandtother, one of five entries for Paul Nicholls, third Monkerhostin, fourth Ollie Magern, fifth It Takes Time, seventh Tikram, ninth Le Duc, tenth Kelrev and eleventh Fondmort.

The bonusprint.com Gold Cup is the target of Tikram, who was victorious in the Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup Chase at last season's Cheltenham Festival.

Trainer Gary Moore said: "Tikram is definitely going for the bonusprint.com Gold Cup."

The seven-year-old had been due to run in a Windsor handicap chase on Saturday but was a non-runner in a race which saw five of the 10 starters fail to finish.

"I took Tikram out at Windsor as the ground went too soft - I'm glad I did as there was plenty of trouble in the race," said the Brighton trainer.

The seven-year-old made a couple of mistakes on his seasonal debut in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, coming home 30 lengths behind winner Celestial Gold.

When asked if people should put a line through that run, Moore replied: "That's what I would do - I certainly hope so anyway although you can never be certain.

"Tikram seems to have come out of that run well. He doesn't like schooling at home so he's been to the indoor school and loose schooled once - he was good then. I just hope that the Paddy Power Gold Cup run was a one-off."

There are three entries from Ireland headed by Nil Desperandum, a Grade One winner for Frances Crowley at Fairyhouse last season. He could be joined by the Willie Mullins-trained duo of Mossy Green and Jasmin d'Oudairies.

Other contenders for the bonusprint.com Gold Cup include Armaturk, triumphant in the Beards Jewellers Cup Chase over two miles at The Open, Farmer Jack, who fell in the Paddy Power Gold Cup but is the current leader in the British Horseracing Board's Order of Merit series, of which the bonusprint.com Gold Cup forms a part, and Massac who completed a hat-trick at Windsor on Saturday.

Owner Jim Lewis and trainer Henrietta Knight might be represented by Impek, runner-up in the 2003 Irish Independent Arkle Trophy at The Festival, while Howard Johnson could send down Ballybough Rasher, not seen out since landing the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in November, 2003.

Finally, the most interesting runner would be Fundamentalist. Nigel Twiston-Davies' very exciting novice has won both his starts over fences, as well as last season's Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle at The Festival. His latest run was at The Open on November 14 when the impressive winner of the Grade Two Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase. The trainer also has Redemption, who was going well when falling two out last year, and Ollie Magern entered.

Peter McNeile, Commercial Manager at Cheltenham, commented: "We could not have wished for a finer entry for the bonusprint.com Gold Cup which is the highlight of the second day of the December Meeting."

THE bonusprint.com GOLD CUP

Class A, Grade Three, £110,000 Total Prize Fund, 2.40pm Cheltenham, Saturday, December 11, 2004, 2m 5f (New Course). For 5yo & upwards. Penalties: after November 27, a winner of a Class C steeple chase 4lb; of a Class A or B steeple chase 6lb. No penalty to increase a horse's weight above 11st 12lb. Entries closed November 24 (44 entries), weights released December 1, five-day entry stage Monday, December 6, final declaration stage 10.00am December 10. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including Wednesday, November 24.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
2624-11 ARMATURK (FR) 7 Barry Marshall Paul Nicholls
231331- AVALANCHE (FR) 7 The Downhill Partnership John Best
UP4P/21- BALLYBOUGH RASHER (IRE) 9 BDR Partnership Howard Johnson
0/1111U- CALLING BRAVE (IRE) 8 Sir Robert Ogden Nicky Henderson
13321-1 CELESTIAL GOLD (IRE) 6 David Johnson Martin Pipe
F120B5- CLAYMORE (IRE) 8 Brian Stewart-Brown Oliver Sherwood
3P0-0P1 EUROPA 8 Trevor Hemmings Ferdy Murphy
100-1F2 FARMER JACK 8 Peter Partridge Philip Hobbs
4534F-0 FONDMORT (FR) 8 Bill Brown Nicky Henderson
121-11 FUNDAMENTALIST (IRE) 6 Gripen Nigel Twiston-Davies
P/11U0/5- HALEXY (FR) 9 Sir Robert Ogden Jonjo O'Neill
2F1F-3U HAWK'S LANDING (IRE) 7 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
5U232-4 IMPEK (FR) 8 Jim Lewis Henrietta Knight
62/F5P-5 IT TAKES TIME (IRE) 10 David Johnson Martin Pipe
P132F6- IZNOGOUD (FR) 8 The County Stores and Avalon Surfacing Martin Pipe
115103- JAKARI (FR) 7 The Earl Cadogan Henry Daly
32-3031 JASMIN D'OUDAIRIES (FR) 7 Decies & Dubs Syndicate Wilie Mullins IRE
2204-20 KELREV (FR) 6 Len Jakeman, Flintham, King & Roberts Venetia Williams
06334-3 KNIFE EDGE (USA) 9 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
1/1-F L'ANGE AU CIEL (FR) 5 Barry Marshall Paul Nicholls
3F611-3 LATITUDE (FR) 5 Neil J. Edwards Martin Pipe
13P4-40 LE DUC (FR) 5 Judy Stewart Paul Nicholls
223-111 MASSAC (FR) 5 Million in Mind Partnership Alan King
1P01-12 MONDIAL JACK (FR) 5 Chris, Basil & Rosie Batterham II Martin Pipe
116-132 MONKERHOSTIN (FR) 7 Martin St Quinton Philip Hobbs
42FF-25 MOSSY GREEN (IRE) 10 Greenstar Syndicate Wilie Mullins IRE
61/113-4 NIL DESPERANDUM (IRE) 7 Mike Shone Frances Crowley IRE
40/112-F NON SO (FR) 6 ROA Dawn Run Partnership Nicky Henderson
64-1114 OLLIE MAGERN 6 Roger Nicholls Nigel Twiston-Davies
11/2113- OUR VIC (IRE) 6 David Johnson Martin Pipe
415UU1- PUNTAL (FR) 8 Terry Neill Martin Pipe
U5003-0 REDEMPTION 9 John Duggan & Michael Purtill Nigel Twiston-Davies
133F/1F- SCOTS GREY 9 Henry Ponsonby Nicky Henderson
U510-22 SEEBALD (GER) 9 The Macca & Growler Partnership Martin Pipe
2/F132/5- SHAMAWAN (IRE) 9 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
U41-054 SIMPLY GIFTED 9 Steve Hammond Jonjo O'Neill
034-013 SPRING GROVE (IRE) 9 Exors of the late Harry Perry Robert Alner
1311P//-1 SPRING MARGOT (FR) 8 Sir Robert Ogden Paul Nicholls
11P2-0F SUPREME PRINCE (IRE) 7 Karola Vann Philip Hobbs
111F0-0 THEREALBANDIT (IRE) 7 David Johnson Martin Pipe
21F22-2 THISTHATANDTOTHER (IRE) 8 Graham Roach Paul Nicholls
14112-0 TIKRAM 7 Mike Charlton & Rodger Sargent Gary Moore
542-2F0 TURGEONEV (FR) 9 David Sills Tim Easterby
211231 VODKA BLEU (FR) 5 David Johnson Martin Pipe

44 entries
3 Irish-trained entries

RECORD OF TRAINERS WITH ENTRIES IN THE bonusprint.com GOLD CUP (SINCE 1983)

Robert Alner
(Spring Grove)
No previous runners

John Best
(Avalanche)
No previous runners

Frances Crowley IRE
(Nil Desperandum)
No previous runners

Henry Daly
(Jakari)
2003 9 Young Spartacus
2003 BD Hand Inn Hand

Tim Easterby
(Turgeonev)
1997-6 Simply Dashing
1998-2 Simply Dashing

Nicky Henderson
(Fondmort, Calling Brave, Scots Grey, Non So)
1983 2 The Tsarevich
1984 2 Classified
1984 6 The Tsarevich
1992 4 Freeline Finishing
1993 3 Freeline Finishing
1996 P Big Matt
1999 P Stormyfairweather
2002 1 FONDMORT
2003 1 IRIS ROYAL

Philip Hobbs
(Farmer Jack, Monkerhostin, Supreme Prince)
1989 P Joint Sovereignty
1997 3 Bells Life
1998 4 Dr Leunt
1998 6 Stormy Passage
1999 4 Stormy Passage
2000 4 In The Blood
2002 7 Wave Rock

Howard Johnson
(Ballybough Rasher)
No previous runners

Alan King
(Massac)
No previous runners

Henrietta Knight
(Impek)
2002 2 Foly Pleasant
2003 P Foly Pleasant

Gary Moore
(Tikram)
No previous runners

Willie Mullins IRE
(Mossy Green, Jasmin d'Oudairies)
2002 8 Killultagh Storm
2003 11 Adamant Approach

Ferdy Murphy
(Europa)
1993 P Brandeston
2003 7 Ballinclay King

Paul Nicholls
(Armaturk, Thisthatandtother, L'Ange Au Ciel, Le Duc, Spring Margot)
1998 3 Mr Strong Gale
1999 3 Irbee
2000 8 Soldat
2002 5 Fadalko
2003 4 Royal Auclair
2003 6 Armaturk

Jonjo O'Neill
(Knife Edge, Simply Gifted, Shamawan, Hawk's Landing, Halexy)
1998 5 All The Aces
1999 1 LEGAL RIGHT

Martin Pipe
(Seebald, Therealbandit, Puntal, Our Vic, Celestial Gold, Mondial Jack, It Takes Time, Iznogoud, Vodka Bleu, Latitude)
1988 2 Beau Ranger
1989 5 Rusch De Farges
1992 F Milford Quay
1993 1 FRAGRANT DAWN
1996 7 All For Luck
1997 2 Challenger Du Luc
1998 1 NORTHERN STARLIGHT
1999 5 Northern Starlight
2000 6 Exit Swinger
2000 7 Blowing Wind
2002 4 Cyfor Malta
2002 9 Exit Swinger
2003 5 It Takes Time

Oliver Sherwood
(Claymore)
1994 P Coulton

Nigel Twiston-Davies
(Ollie Magern, Redemption, Fundamentalist)
1991 5 Tipping Tim
1992 3 Tipping Tim
1993 2 Young Hustler
1994 7 Tipping Tim
1998 P Queen Of Spades
2003 P Eskleybrook
2003 F Redemption

Venetia Williams
(Kelrev)
1999 2 Nordance Prince
2000 9 Samakaan
2002 6 Golden Goal
2003 PU Banker Count

THE bonusprint.com GOLD CUP TRAINER BREAKDOWN AND PAST SUCCESSES

10 Entries
Martin Pipe (1993 Fragrant Dawn, 1998 Northern Starlight)
Celestial Gold
It Takes Time
Iznogoud
Latitude
Mondial Jack
Our Vic
Puntal
Seebald
Therealbandit
Vodka Bleu

5 Entries
Paul Nicholls
Armaturk
L'Ange Au Ciel
Le Duc
Spring Margot
Thisthatandtother

Jonjo O'Neill (1999 Legal Right)
Halexy
Hawk's Landing
Knife Edge
Shamawan
Simply Gifted

4 Entries
Nicky Henderson (2003 Iris Royal, 2002 Fondmort)
Calling Brave
Fondmort
Non So
Scots Grey

3 Entries
Philip Hobbs
Farmer Jack
Monkerhostin
Supreme Prince

Nigel Twiston-Davies
Fundamentalist
Ollie Magern
Redemption

2 Entries
Willie Mullins IRE
Jasmin d'Oudairies
Mossy Green

1 Entry
Robert Alner
Spring Grove

John Best
Avalanche

Frances Crowley IRE
Nil Desperandum

Henry Daly
Jakari

Tim Easterby
Turgeonev

Howard Johnson
Ballybough Rasher

Alan King
Massac

Henrietta Knight
Impek

Gary Moore
Tikram

Ferdy Murphy
Europa

Oliver Sherwood
Claymore

Venetia Williams
Kelrev

ALBADOU CLAIMS NAD AL SHEBA FEATURE

Ryan Moore and Satish Seemar teamed up in the opening race of the evening to land the 1,300 metres Bur Dubai Handicap for Purebred Arabians with Quick Reply. Moore had the son of Wiking well placed throughout the race and went to the lead just over 400 metres out, running on from a challenging Millennium Storm, Richard Mullen up, to win by over three lengths.

Dubai Guest and Gary Hind came with a late run to win the second race of the evening the Umm Sequeim Handicap for Thoroughbreds over 1,500 metres. Willie Supple aboard Secret Plot were making progress throughout the race to lead just under 200 metres from the line and looked the winner.

However Hind got to work on the Rashed Bouresly-trained Dubai Guest and took the lead in the final 100 metres and ran on well to win by a length and three quarters from Secret Plot with long term leader Flower State in Third.

Tadhg O'Shea came with a late run aboard the Erwan Charpy-trained Muwassi to win the 1,400 metre Al Wasl Handicap, long term leader Egyptian, under Hind, came third with the Mazin Al Kurdi-trained Delude running on last and just missing out on victory by a neck.

Jockey Dean Mernagh teamed up again with Waajeb, the horse that gave him his first UAE win when scoring on Nad Al Sheba's opening night in October, to land the fourth race of the evening, the Al Aweer Handicap over 1,100 metres.

Mernagh had the Ali Rashid Al Raihe-trained four-year-old well placed on the rail in fourth with the field being taken along by the Mullen-partnered Tala Ya. Waajeb began to challenge from the 200 metre post and kept on to get up by a head in the shadow of the winning post. Tala Ya took second with Daragh O'Donohoe and Wilde in third.

Watson enjoyed a back to back double when Early Assault won with ease the final race of the evening, the Oud Metha Handicap over 1,800 metres. Supple was always going well on the son of Danewin and was soon clear in the straight and coasted to victory. Stable mate Classicist stayed on to finish second with Rich Pickens a head away in third.

RACING IN DUBAI, UAE
DUBAI RACING CLUB
NAD AL SHEBA RACECOURSE

Thursday, November 25th, 2004
Dirt Track: Fast.

Key: The figures beside the race conditions (ie 00-80) are for horses rated in that division and these figures are in pounds. The UAE Dirham (AED) is fixed at US$3.68. All races on dirt.

Race One. Bur Dubai. Purebred Arabians 1,300m. NH & SH 4yo+. 55-75
Prizemoney: AED 27,000.
1st: AED 17,550. 2nd: AED 5,400. 3rd: AED 2,700. 4th: AED 1,350

1. QUICK REPLY (US) 54kgs
1997 b g Wiking – Fast Forward (Asjah Ibn Faleh)
Owner: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Godolphin Racing Inc
Trainer: S Seemar. Jockey: R Moore
2. MILLENNIUM STORM (US) 52.5kgs
1998 gr g Ala Croixnoire – Mufka (Partner)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Helen E Burger
Trainer: M Al Kurdi. Jockey: R Mullen
3. AL KESBE (FR) 57kgs
1999 b h Kesberoy – Zamba (Managanate)
Owner: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Breeder: M Francis Faure
Trainer: Gillian Duffield. Jockey: W Supple
Then came (in order): Jawad Al Kheir (FR), Winner du Casse (FR), Juven Moon (FR), Basilic de Ghazal (FR), Djaiman de Leyre (FR), Treasure Trove (US), Valet Man (US), Croixnoire (US), Virikis (US), Al Tareek (GB).

All 13 ran.
Margins: 3 Ό, nk, 1 Ό. Time: 1m 30.56s

Race Two. Umm Suqueim. Thoroughbreds 1,500m. NH & SH 3yo+. 35 - 65
Prizemoney: AED 26,000.
1st: AED 16,900. 2nd: AED 5,200. 3rd: AED 2,600. 4th: AED 1,300

1. DUBAI GUEST (CAN) 57.5kgs
2000 b c Grand Slam – Social Director (Deputy Minister)
Owner: Bouresly Racing Syndicate
Breeder: Windfields Farm Ltd
Trainer: R Bouresly. Jockey: G Hind
2. SECRET PLOT (GB) 57.5kgs
1998 dk b or br g Machiavellian – La Confederation (Nureyev)
Owner: Mohammed Nayamat
Breeder: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Trainer: D Watson. Jockey: W Supple
3. FLOWER STATE (GB) 55.5kgs
1996 b g Sabrehill – Flower Arrangement (Lomond)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Mrs R D Peacock
Trainer: M Al Kurdi. Jockey: R Mullen
Then came (in order): Better Mix (USA), Morshid (USA), Wahajj (USA), Russian Relation (USA), Ocean Song (USA), Mr Jebel Ali (USA), Al Hasim (FR), Prado's Wish (USA), Aazim (USA), West Country (UAE), Dreadlock (ARG), Qixl (NZ), Pulled Up: Luzern (GB). 16 ran. NRs: Myplaceoryours (USA), Attlee (USA), Mesozoic (USA), Pfennig (GB). Margins: 1 Ύ, 6 ½, 2 ½. Time: 1m 33.50s


Race Three. Al Wasl. Thoroughbreds 1,400m. NH & SH 3yo+. 50-80
Prizemoney: AED 42,000.
1st: AED 27,300. 2nd: AED 8,400. 3rd: AED 4,200. 4th: AED 2,100

1. MUWASSI (GB) 60kgs
1999 b h Grand Lodge – Sardonic (Kris)
Owner: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Breeder: Lord Howard de Walden
Trainer: E Charpy. Jockey: T O'Shea
2. DELUDE (IRE) 61.5kgs
1998 ch g Be My Guest – Deceive (Machiavellian)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Trainer: M Al Kurdi. Jockey: T Durcan
3. EGYPTIAN (USA) 62kgs
1999 b g Green Desert – Link River (Gone West)
Owner: Bouresly Racing Syndicate
Breeder: Darley Stud Management LLC
Trainer: R Bouresly. Jockey: G Hind
Then came (in order): Mythical Jinks (USA), Kulachi (IRE), Mannjam (USA), Mawwal (GB), Rumpold (GB), Mr Sena (ARG), Next Knight (USA), Mr Pop Idol (GB), Mr Magistrate (AUS), Absolut Black (NZ), Emtilaak (GB). 14 ran NR: Bosra's Valentine (USA). Margins: nk, 1 Ύ, 2. Time: 1m 27.04s

Race Four. Al Aweer. Thoroughbreds 1,100m. NH & SH 3yo+. 60-90
Prizemoney: AED 50,000.
1st: AED 32,500. 2nd: AED 10,000. 3rd: AED 5,000. 4th: AED 2,500

1. WAAJEB (USA) 51.5kgs
2000 b c Silver Deputy – Bridal Tea (Gulch)
Owner: Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: W S Farish, W Temple Webber Jr & J Elk
Trainer: A Rashid Al Raihe. Jockey: D Mernagh
2. TALA YA (USA) 62kgs
1998 ch g Storm Bird – Fly To The Moon (Blushing Groom)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Gainsborough Farm Inc
Trainer: M Al Kurdi. Jockey: R Mullen
3. WILDE (GB) 56kgs
1999 b g Polish Precedent – Wildwood Flower (Distant Relative)
Owner: Khalifa bin Ghulita
Breeder: Raffin Stud
Trainer: M Al Kurdi. Jockey: D O'Donohoe
Then came (in order): Medraar (GB), Grand Eastern (USA), Sir Edwin Landseer (USA), Indian Dreamer (IRE), Rezif (GB). 8 ran. NR: Mawaheb (USA)
Margins: hd, 2, 1 Ό. Time: 1m 06.22s

Race Five. Jumeirah. Thoroughbreds 2,000m. NH 3yo+ & SH 4yo+. 70-95
Prizemoney: AED 50,000.
1st: AED 32,500. 2nd: AED 10,000. 3rd: AED 5,000. 4th: AED 2,500

1. ALBADOU (GB) 52kgs
1999 ch g Wolfhound – Ameerat Jumaira (Alydar)
Owner: Mohammed Al Jamali
Breeder: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Trainer: D Watson. Jockey: G Birrer
2. AFGHAN (USA) 58.5kgs
1999 ch g Hennessy – Affirm The Gold (Golden Act)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Marvin Little Jr & James Iselin
Trainer: M Al Kurdi. Jockey: T Durcan
3. SYDENHAM (USA) 60kgs
1998 b g A P Indy – Crystal Shard (Mr Prospector)
Owner: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: G Watts Humphrey Jr & L I Humphrey
Trainer: M Al Muhairi. Jockey: S Chin
Then came (in order): Fight (USA), Valdancer (IRE), Dubai Vision (FR), Opportunist (IRE), Channel Four (USA), Tangeriano (ARG), Kriskova (USA), Litigado (ARG), Kundooz (GB), Inchlonaig (GB), River's Curtain (USA). 14 ran. Margins: 2 Ύ, 4 Ύ, 2 Ύ. Time: 2m 05.85s (Hand Timed)

Race Six. Oud Metha. Thoroughbreds 1,800m. NH 3yo+ & SH 3yo+. 45-75
Prizemoney: AED 26,000.
1st: AED 16,900. 2nd: AED 5,200. 3rd: AED 2,600. 4th: AED 1,300

1. EARLY ASSAULT (AUS) 56kgs
1997 b g Danewin – Rangiora (Greenwood)
Owner: Paul Duffin
Breeder: Emirates Park Pty Ltd
Trainer: D Watson. Jockey: W Supple
2. CLASSICIST (USA) 60kgs
1999 dk b or br h Unbridled – Classy Cathy (Private Account)
Owner: S M Al Maktoum
Breeder: Dinwiddie Farm
Trainer: D Watson. Jockey: G Birrer
3. RICH PICKENS (USA) 55kgs
1999 b g Smart Strike – Palace Weekend (Seattle Dancer)
Owner: Kenny Kok
Breeder: Runnymede Farm Inc & Catesby W Clay
Trainer: M Al Muhairi. Jockey: S Chin
Then came (in order): Indicant (JPN), Potro Celoso (ARG), Dawaarr (IRE), Sudden Squall (USA), Night Prey (USA), Umm Al Qawain Star (USA), Western Commander (USA), Holy Pole (USA), Bitter Chill (USA), Maroc (BRZ), Corrupt (BRZ), Temeraire (USA) 15 ran. Withdrawn: Dramatic Edge. Nrs: Lewa Dance (USA), Arch Of Light (GB), Rue Mazarine (IRE). Margins: 1 3.4, hd, 2 ½. Time: 1m 54.40s

BHB SCOOPS MAJOR MEDIA AWARD

Now in their seventh year, the Campaign Media Awards are designed to recognise excellence from both media agencies and sales teams.

BHB teamed up with BrandConnection and The Sunday Telegraph to produce the 'Racing Spirit' campaign, and saw off competition from within the Financial and Corporate category from the likes of IBM for their 'Wimbledon on Demand' campaign and RBS 6 Nations.

The 'Racing Spirit' campaign involved a photography competition that challenged students across Britain to capture the spirit of racing and 'get under the skin' of the sport. The twelve winning entries were all published in The Sunday Telegraph, and formed the basis of a calendar that was used to promote the 2004 Fixture List. An exhibition of the photography also visited a number of British racecourses.

The calendar was redeemed by 32,000 Sunday Telegraph readers and also distributed to existing members of BHB's customer database. The 'Racing Spirit' campaign was also shortlisted for 'Best Promotion of a Sport by a Governing Body' at the Sport Industry Awards earlier this year.

BHB Marketing Director Chris John said: "This award recognises the hard work put in by BHB, BrandConnection and The Sunday Telegraph on the 'Racing Spirit' campaign. The photography competition will hopefully have helped to inspire the next generation of racing fans, while the calendar itself reached a wide audience of both racing enthusiasts and newcomers."

ASCOT, THE JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION & RACING VICTORIA LIMITED LAUNCH GLOBAL SPRINT CHALLENGE

The inaugural Global Sprint Challenge Series in 2005 will be made up of:
The TEAC Lighting Stakes at Flemington (G1), Australia, Saturday 5th February 2005

The Timbercorp Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley (G1), Australia, Saturday 19th February 2005

The King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot (G2), York, UK, Tuesday 14th June 2005

The Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot (G1), York, UK, Saturday 18th June 2005

The Centaur Stakes at Hanshin (G3), Japan, Sunday 11th September 2005

The Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama (G1), Japan, Sunday 2nd October 2005

Points will be allocated 10-5-4-3-2 first to fifth with all other starters awarded one point. Horses competing outside their own racing jurisdiction will be awarded double points.

Racing jurisdictions are deemed to be:
Victoria – Australia & New Zealand
Ascot – Europe, UAE
Japan – Asia

Competitors trained outside these jurisdictions qualify for double points in all legs.

The winner is deemed to be the horse with the most points, who has accumulated at least 30 points and who has competed in two or more countries. The winning owners at the time of the last qualifying race in which the winning horse runs will be awarded a commemorative trophy and an all expenses paid trip for two to the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, The Emirates Melbourne Cup and the Japan Cup, in 2006.

All three participating parties will assist with travel arrangements for horses travelling from outside their home jurisdictions for the purpose of competing in this series. Travel incentives will be considered on a case-by-case basis and should be negotiated with the host organisation directly.

The Duke of Devonshire, Her Majesty's Representative and Chairman at Ascot, said: "Ascot Racecourse is delighted to be a party in inaugurating this challenge, which cements our already strong relationship with the Japan Racing Association and Racing Victoria Limited, Australia.

"At Ascot, it is our firm belief that racing is becoming a more international sport every year, and we are delighted to be playing our part in that. In recent years British racing has benefited considerably from the participation of the likes of Agnes World, Hard Buck, Cape of Good Hope and of course Choisir travelling from all over the world to run with great success at Ascot.

"This challenge puts in place a structure that further encourages competition across the continents for turf sprinters, a group which is often already aggressively campaigned and for which a series sits comfortably. We look forward to the first year of the Global Sprint Challenge with excitement and to building on the concept in the future."

Mr Masayuki Takahashi, President & CEO of the Japan Racing Association, said: "We are honoured to be a part of the Global Sprint Challenge with Racing Victoria Limited and Ascot Racecourse. We believe this unique competition will add another dimension to the international racing scene where the best sprinters around the world will test their speed, versatility and courage.

"Top class thoroughbreds are a mutual treasure of the world. Racing has become global and we hope that promoting such an international competition will provide great excitement to horsemen and racing fans around the globe.

"We at the Japan Racing Association are committed, with the strong cooperation of three racing entities, to developing these challenge races into a dynamic future."

Graham Duff, Chairman of Racing Victoria Limited, said: "It is with great excitement that Racing Victoria Limited looks forward to the commencement of the Global Sprint Challenge and we look forward to working with the Japan Racing Association and Ascot Racecourse in making the competition a great success.

"The Global Sprint Challenge will add a new dimension to our respective race meetings and will enhance the profile of our sprinters on a global scale. The outstanding triumph of Choisir at Royal Ascot in 2003 has shown that glory on the international stage can be achieved.

"The Victorian thoroughbred racing industry has first hand experience of the benefits experienced by international participation, through our Spring Racing Carnival. We will work industriously with our partners to ensure the Global Sprint Challenge is a success."

For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink Archive

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