New £10m racing competition launched
NEWMARKET'S Natwest Rowley Mile racecourse is part of a landmark £10 million flat racing competition aimed at increasing interest in the sport and finding Britain's champion racehorse.
Headquarter's 2000 Guineas in 2010 will officially launch the Sovereign Series, which will link 10 of the most prestigious races in the racing calendar into a major new competition and will run initially for three years.
The series will feature 10 of the leading Group 1 races, starting with Newmarket's Stan James 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and culminating with the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes again at Newmarket in October.
The Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, The Derby, the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Coral Eclipse at Sandown, Ascot's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the BGC Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, the Juddmonte International at York and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot complete the line up.
The Sovereign Series has been created with the full support of the British Horseracing Authority and has received industry-wide backing from owners, trainers and jockeys, as well as all major stakeholders.
Racing UK, the media rights company representing the courses, will be promoting and managing the collective broadcast and multimedia rights.
In addition to the existing prize money of just over 5 million, a further 5 million per year will be added to the series, culminating in a 2 million prize for the overall winner.
An extra 3 million has also been committed to the marketing, promotion and production of the series both on and off the course, which organisers hope will generate more interest in the sport by taking race goers and viewers right to the heart of the action.
Simon Bazalgette, executive chairman of Racing UK and chief executive designate of the Jockey Club, said: "Horseracing is one of Britain's great sports but is faced with increasing competition from other sports and leisure activities, so racing needs to evolve and appeal to a wider audience.
"We believe the Sovereign Series will capture the imagination of a new generation of sports fans who have never before been interested in racing."
"Our vision is that in five years, the Sovereign Series will have become established as a major sports competition on the British calendar alongside Wimbledon, The Open and other similar events."
Newmarket trainer Chris Wall, who is president of the National Trainers' Federation, said: "It will be a tremendous boost to the profile of British racing and will maintain its already high standing on the international stage."
Picture courtesy of Dan Abraham.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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