ANGLO IRISH BANK SPONSORSHIP ENDS AFTER THREE SUCCESSFUL YEARS
Anglo Irish Bank has decided not to renew its sponsorship of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at The Festival in March and associated Pattern races that lead up to the Grade One novices' hurdle.
The bank sponsored the traditional curtain-raiser for The Festival for three years as initially agreed.
The race has an illustrious roll of honour that includes subsequent winners of the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle and the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The sponsorship provided Anglo Irish Bank with excellent opportunities to entertain key clients at prestigious social events in the UK and also secured high-profile branding through print, radio and television exposure.
"Cheltenham and all of the other venues have looked after us very well during our partnership," said Simon Bird, Head of Marketing and Communications for Anglo Irish Bank in the UK. “We have had three good years and this sponsorship was very good in relation to entertaining our clients and getting coverage in the media,” he added.
This year's race saw a thrilling battle between Captain Cee Bee and Binocular, who both carry the famous colours of J P McManus, with the first-named gaining the upper-hand under a determined ride from Choc Thornton. Not only did Captain Cee Bee get the Irish off to a good start, but he also gave trainer Edward Harty, a former Anglo Irish Bank employee, a first Festival victory in the £120,000 contest.
Cheltenham's Director of Sponsorship, Peter McNeile, said: "This sponsorship has been a great success for both Cheltenham and Anglo Irish Bank and we are grateful for their support across 15 races spread over three years. We now have an exciting opportunity for another organisation to raise its profile among the millions of people who follow Jump racing, with the Supreme Novices' Hurdle being one of the most eagerly anticipated races each year."
The bank continues its sponsorship of the Anglo Irish Regatta and recently announced its backing of the Financial Times Anglo Irish Bank Business Championship.
Cheltenham will seek a new sponsor for the sequence of Pattern events concluding with the opening race of The Festival in 2009 (which takes place from Tuesday, March 10 to Friday, March 13).
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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