STAN JAMES CONFIRM LONG-TERM GUINEAS FESTIVAL SPONSORSHIP
Leading independent bookmaker Stan James is to sponsor the Guineas Festival at Newmarket for the next five years, committing £3m over this period in the largest sponsorship deal signed at the Home of Racing, it was officially announced today. The company will break new ground by becoming the first sponsor to back every race at the two-day May meeting, including the first two classics of the British season, The Stan James 1000 Guineas and The Stan James 2000 Guineas.
Steve Walsh, Marketing Director for Stan James, commented: "The Guineas Festival is recognised as one of the most important race meetings in the calendar and for us to be involved as sponsors for at least the next five years is a privilege and an honour.
"Our sponsorship portfolio now contains the cream of both Flat and National Hunt racing, and The Guineas will compliment our Christmas meeting very effectively."
Lisa Hancock, Managing Director of Newmarket Racecourses, said: "With the deal set to run for at least five years, and with an option for Stan James to renew for 2011 and beyond, this is a fantastic sponsorship agreement for Newmarket. More than anything, we wanted a sponsor who would commit for the long-term and who would throw their weight behind the marketing and promotion of the event and this is what Stan James will deliver.
"They are one of the most respected and innovative bookmakers in the business and we could not be happier to be working in partnership with them to take the Stan James Guineas Festival forward. The event is already in great shape, but we have some very exciting plans for the future and I have no doubt whatsoever that The Stan James Guineas Festival will continue to go from strength to strength for the rest of the decade and beyond."
The dates for the 2006 Stan James Guineas Festival are Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7.
The Guineas Festival's most recent sponsor, UltimatePoker.com, supported Newmarket's premier race-meeting in 2004 and 2005 and was preceded by Sagitta Asset Management (98-03), Pertemps (96-97), Madagans (93-95) and General Accident (84-92).
The Stan James sponsorship portfolio currently includes The Christmas Festival, featuring The Stan James King George VI Chase and The Stan James Christmas Hurdle. This year's meeting has been transferred to Sandown on Boxing Day and Huntingdon on December 27 whilst Kempton is closed for redevelopment. They also sponsor the World Matchplay Darts Championships, held annually in Blackpool in the last week of July.
36 GO FORWARD FOR EMIRATES AIRLINE CHAMPION STAKES
A rematch between Starcraft and Dubawi could take place in the £350,000 Group One Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket on Champions' Day, Saturday, October 15. Starcraft got the better of Godolphin's star three-year-old in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on September 24.
A total of 36 horses remain in the 10-furlong race following the September 27 forfeit stage and they also include Vodafone Derby winner Motivator, who is set to run in Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.
In addition to Dubawi, Godolphin has the 2004 Arc runner-up Cherry Mix, progressive performer Into The Dark, Group One winner Ancient World, Naheef and Lateen Sails. The Emirates Airline Champion Stakes is one of the few major prizes to have eluded the Maktoum family's operation.
Coral-Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes hero Oratorio is the only horse to have beaten Motivator, and Aidan O'Brien's charge heads the Irish challenge. The Ballydoyle team have also entered 1000 Guineas winner Virginia Waters while fellow Irish handler Jim Bolger could run his the tough filly Alexander Goldrun, an unlucky third last time out in the Irish Champion Stakes. John Oxx has left in the unexposed Alayan while Grey Swallow, trained by Dermot Weld, could bid to bounce back to form following a disappointing effort last time in the Irish Champion Stakes.
Another big name to go forward is Rakti, trained by Michael Jarvis. He disappointed last time out in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes but won this race back in 2003. Jarvis could also run Vista Bella, third earlier this season in the 1000 Guineas.
There are two entries from Italy going forward for this year's race, notably the Valfredo Valiani-trained Electrocutionist who impressed with a game victory in the Group One Juddmonte International at York under Mick Kinane. Altieri, third to Oratorio and Motivator in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, is also entered for the Vincenzo Caruso stable.
The Aga Khan has a chance of victory with dual Group One winner Valixir who is trained in France by Andre Fabre while other French entries include last year's Arc hero Bago, Pride, Prospect Park and Touch Of Land, fifth in the Arlington Million.
Other interesting contenders include Coronation Stakes heroine Maids Causeway and Group One-winning mare Favourable Terms.
Horses could be added to the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes field on October 10, when there is a £24,000 supplementary entry stage.
32 REMAIN IN DARLEY DEWHURST STAKES
A total of 32 horses stand their ground for the £250,000 Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes on Champions' Day, Saturday, October 15, following the latest forfeit stage, details of which are announced today, Wednesday, September 28.
Aidan O'Brien, who won the prestigious race in 2001 with Rock Of Gibraltar, boasts a 10-strong entry headed by the 2006 ante-post favourite for the 2000 Guineas, George Washington. The Danehill colt could bid for a Group One hat-trick in the seven-furlong event, following victories in the Phoenix Stakes and the National Stakes, both run at the Curragh.
Horatio Nelson and Ivan Denisovich could also represent O'Brien's Ballydoyle stable. Horatio Nelson took the Group Three Weatherbys Superlative Stakes from Leo over the same distance on Newmarket's July Course before adding the Group Two Futurity Stakes at the Curragh. Ivan Denisovich won the Group Two TNT July Stakes and subsequently ran second to Silca's Sister in the Group One Prix Morny at Deauville.
Marcus Tregoning's Sir Percy could put his unbeaten record on the line. The Mark Of Esteem colt took the step up to Group Two company in his stride when winning the Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes at Goodwood on July 27 and may bid to give his trainer his first Darley Dewhurst Stakes success.
Mark Johnston took last year's renewal with the top-rated juvenile Shamardal, winner of two French classics this year, and the Middleham trainer has two possible contenders. Prince Of Light won the Group 3 32Red.com Sirenia Stakes on his latest start at Newmarket on September 3, while Atlantic Waves was an impressive winner of a seven-furlong Leicester maiden on his sole outing.
Andre Fabre landed the race three times in the 1990s with the formidable trio of Zafonic, Pennekamp and Xaar. Chantilly winner Wild Sunday could represent the French handler. Barry Hills, another three-time winner of this race, may rely on his Coventry Stakes hero Red Clubs and Killybegs. The unbeaten Primary could give David Loder a Group One swan-song in his final season training.
There is a £15,000 supplementary entry stage for the Darley Dewhurst Stakes on October 10.
ALL THE MAIN CONTENDERS REMAIN IN totesport CESAREWITCH
All of the main contenders remain engaged in the big handicap on Champions' Day, the £130,000 totesport Cesarewitch.
Just five horses were removed at the September 27 forfeit stage, meaning that 67 horses go forward for the famous two mile, two furlong contest.
Currently vying for favouritism are Nicky Henderson's Afrad, a winner at both Newmarket's July Meeting and Glorious Goodwood on his last two starts, and Elusive Dream, a very promising fourth on his seasonal debut at Haydock earlier this month and one of six remaining entries for Sir Mark Prescott. The pick of Prescott's other possible starters looks to be the progressive Tempsford, a winner at Carlisle earlier in the season. The totesport Cesarewitch is one of the few big handicaps to have eluded the Heath House handler.
Land N'Stars put himself in with a good chance when taking the Listed toteexacta Fenwolf Stakes at Newmarket on September 24 while other leading contenders to go forward include Sergeant Cecil, winner of both the Northumberland Plate and totesport Ebor this season, John Dunlop's Baddam, successful on his latest start at Newmarket, Inchnadamph from the northern yard of Tim FitzGerald and Hughie Morrison's Odiham.
LATEST TOTESPORT PRICES FOR THE CESAREWITCH:
totesport CESAREWITCH
2 MILE 2 FURLONGS (HANDICAP), NEWMARKET, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15
SPECIAL BET - 3/1 SIR MARK PRESCOTT TO TRAIN THE WINNER OF CESAREWITCH
Damian Walker, spokesman for totesport, said: "Most of the big names have stood their ground, including our two worst ante-post losers - Afrad and Odiham.
"Nicky Henderson has a terrific record and Afrad must have a great chance, while Odiham's trainer Hughie Morrison appears to be returning to form."
42 ENTRIES FOR VC BET CHALLENGE STAKES
A star-studded entry of 42 has been received for the £90,000 Group Two VC Bet Challenge Stakes, run over seven furlongs at Newmarket on Champions' Day, Saturday, October 15.
Dubawi, who was possibly unlucky when second to Starcraft in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Newmarket on September 24, heads the list of possibles for Godolphin, whose other entries are Ancient World, Blatant, With Reason, Council Member, Crimson Sun, Great Britain and Firebreak, successful in this race 12 months ago.
Aidan O'Brien has entered a strong contingent from his Ballydoyle base, including last year's Shadwell Stud Middle Park Stakes victor Ad Valorem. Other leading entries from Ireland include David Wachman's Indesatchel, who ran below par when only beating one home in the six-furlong Group Three Ballygallon Stud Renaissance Stakes at the Curragh on September 17, but earlier this season found only Shamardal too good in the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp while John Oxx could run Caradak, successful on his last three starts.
Sir Michael Stoute could make the short journey from Freemason Lodge to the course with his strongest contenders appearing to be Chic and Peeress, both owned by Cheveley Park Stud. Chic ran a great race to be second behind Attraction in the Group One Matron Stakes at Leopardstown last time, having won her second Group Two Celebration Mile at Goodwood in August while Peeress landed the Group Two Windsor Forest Stakes at Royal Ascot at York back in June. Stoute has also entered Arakan, successful in Group Three company at Goodwood on September 27.
Another Newmarket trainer, Jeremy Noseda, has entered his progressive sprinter Soldier's Tale, who was fourth in the Darley July Cup behind Pastoral Pursuits. The horse was a winner over seven furlongs as a two year old. Another Royal Ascot at York winner, Iffraaj, comes from yard of Michael Jarvis. Iffraaj landed the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot at York before putting up a disappointing effort in the Darley July Cup. A return to form last time saw him beat Sleeping Indian at Doncaster in the seven-furlong GNER Park Stakes and Jarvis now believes that this may be the horse's best distance.
Other leading contenders include Sunday's Group Two totepool Diadem Stakes victor Baron's Pit, front-running Brunel, triple Group One scorer Somnus, while there would surely be no popular winner on the Rowley Mile this autumn than Henry Cecil's Camacho, whose best effort came when second to Proclamation in the Group Three Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot at York.
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