MAIDS CAUSEWAY TO GALLOP DURING RACING AT NEWMARKET TOMORROW
As an added bonus for racegoers at Newmarket tomorrow, Maids Causeway, who injured itself in the closing stages of her courageous triumph in the Coronation Stakes (Group 1) at Royal Ascot at York in June and who could now be in line for an amazing return to action in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (Group 1) at Newmarket on Saturday week (1st October), will work on the Rowley Mile with a galloping companion at 3.10pm (prior to the Arab race).
Earlier in the season, Maids Causeway was a fine second on the Rowley Mile in the 1000 Guineas and last season she won the Rockfel Stakes on the same course.
Michael Hills will be on board the filly and her trainer, Barry Hills, will be on hand to talk about the remarkable recovery of his stable star after the gallop.
OUTSTANDING ENTRIES FOR ASCOT FESTIVAL WEEKEND
Going Good with the forecast predominantly dry.
The Ascot Festival, which this weekend launches Newmarket's record-breaking run of top class racing on the Rowley Mile, has attracted outstanding five-day entries and confirmations. Ten have stood their ground in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Group 1), sponsored by Barclays Bank, with Chic, Sleeping Indian, Mullins Bay and Virginia Waters amongst those who could take on the big three - Dubawi, Rakti and Starcraft.
In Saturday's other Group 1 event, the Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile, the 13 confirmations include Rumplestiltskin, Alexandrova and Chenchikova from Aidan O'Brien's all-conquering stable, while Mostaqeleh, Nasheej and Salut d'Amour feature amongst the home-trained horses. The Princess Royal John Doyle Stakes (Group 3), which opens Saturday's card, has attracted 25 entries including one of the stars of last season, Ouija Board.
On Sunday, the 18 in the Cumberland Lodge Stakes (Group 3) include Mubtaker, Bandari and Cherry Mix; the 22 confirmed for the totesport.com Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 2) include five from Ballydoyle, most notably Horatio Nelson, and Sir Michael Stoute's highly regarded colt, City of Troy; and the 19 confirmed for the totepool Diadem Stakes (Group 2) include a host of this season's top sprinters, including La Cucaracha, Ashdown Express and Moss Vale.
"These are cracking entries, with the QE2 in particular looking like a real belter, and we are all set for a memorable weekend at the Home of Racing," said Newmarket's Clerk of the Course, Michael Prosser. "The going is currently Good and the forecast is predominantly dry with the likelihood of light rain on Thursday night."
ATR APPOINTS SKY MEDIA TO HANDLE ALL ADVERTISING SALES - TONY SWEENEY APPOINTED AS HEAD OF COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
At The Races, the UK's leading dedicated horseracing channel, has appointed Sky Media, the advertising sales division of BSkyB, to handle all advertising sales in the UK and Ireland for the channel from January 1, 2006.
Sky Media represents all of BSkyB's wholly-owned channels as well as Discovery, Emap, National Geographic, History Channel, Chart Show TV, MUTV, Hallmark, FX and Fashion TV. In the first half of 2005, Sky Media's commercial impacts among all adults grew by 10.2 per cent, rising to 18.1 per cent among ABC1 men.
Tony Sweeney, recently appointed as Head of Commercial Development at ATR, will be responsible for the relationship. Mr. Sweeney was recently at Dolphin TV, which currently handles advertising sales for ATR. Tony will also be responsible for the channel's day to day relationship with its various bookmaker partners. Recent changes to the Broadcasting Code will allow bookmakers to sponsor live race programming for the first time which also increases the opportunities for further promotional activity.
Matthew Imi, Chief Executive, ATR said: "Sky Media has a fantastic track record when it comes to working successfully with non-terrestrial channels. The recent changes to the Broadcasting Code will create considerable new opportunities for the channel and it is important that we have the right partner to handle our advertising sales."
Richard Hawking, Deputy Sales Director, Sky Media, commented: "We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to add ATR to our growing portfolio of channels. ATR is the most popular dedicated racing channel in the UK. Its programming appeals to a wide range of viewers and is especially effective at reaching the elusive ABC1 male. We are looking forward to working with ATR to capitalise on their growing audience."
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