News

Jockey stars of future get leg-up

Published on 3rd Aug 2012

Young riders are being given a massive leg-up by QIPCO, which only last week extended its sponsorship of the British Champions Series for a further five years.

In an effort to support up-and-coming jockeys, QIPCO is backing three races worth a total of £90,000, each called the QIPCO Future Stars Apprentices’ Handicap, and all on high profile Saturdays in the Flat racing calendar. 

They start with Glorious Goodwood tomorrow, followed by York on August 25 – the final day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival; and culminating in Britain’s richest raceday, QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on October 20. The seven furlong handicap doubles in value to £50,000, making it by far the most valuable race of its kind run in Britain, with QIPCO also offering a working holiday to the USA for the winning rider. 

David Redvers, speaking on behalf of Sheikh Fahad and the Directors of QIPCO Holding, said: “Sheikh Fahad is a great believer in giving youth an opportunity and we are delighted to extend QIPCO's support of the apprentice race on British Champions Day to valuable events at Goodwood and York.

“Working together with British Champions Series we are committed to not only staging races where young riders can shine but to also promoting the accompanying human interest stories to the next generation of race-goers.”