QIPCO Holding announced as Official Partner of Ascot and sponsor of the "King George"

Ascot has announced that QIPCO Holding have entered into a five year partnership with the racecourse, headlined by sponsorship of the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

The arrangement will see the existing sponsors of QIPCO British Champions Day and the British Champions Series extend their portfolio of sponsorship in British Racing to an unprecedented level of investment and commitment.

The £1 million King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes sponsored by QIPCO will become the third seven figure value race annually at Ascot under their sponsorship, joining the £1.3 million QIPCO Champion Stakes and £1 million Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO.

As an Official Partner of Ascot, QIPCO Holding will also enjoy annual branding rights across the site, including at the Royal Meeting, with benefits such as stalls and stalls handlers' branding for all six races on the opening day.

Sheikh Fahad bin Abdullah Al Thani, Director of QIPCO Holding, said: "My brothers and I are delighted to extend our relationship with Ascot through QIPCO's sponsorship of the King George. The race is the defining mid-summer middle distance contest in Europe and, in recent years, it has become a truly international event. On account of the course being the home of QIPCO British Champions Day, together with the heritage and the quality of racing at the Royal Meeting, Ascot means a great deal to us, so it is a privilege for QIPCO Holding to become an Official Partner.

"The addition of the King George into QIPCO's sponsorship portfolio works very well for us as not only is the race of the highest quality, but also the timing is excellent. QIPCO are already proud to sponsor the launch of the British Champions Series with the Guineas Festival at Newmarket so the addition of the King George, together with the Sussex Stakes, provides a perfect mid-summer platform, before culminating with the season's finale and the most valuable day's racing in Britain, QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot".

Charles Barnett, Chief Executive at Ascot, commented: WWe are delighted to be extending our already very strong relationship with QIPCO Holding and would like to extend our thanks particularly to Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani and Sheik Fahad bin Abdullah Al Thani for their continued patronage of and vision for British Racing. The Al Thani family has, in a very short period, changed the face of British Racing both as sponsors and owners, and they were instrumental in establishing the QIPCO British Champions Series and QIPCO British Champions Day. It is very exciting for us to be working with QIPCO Holding on the promotion of Europe's mid-summer all-age premier race, 'The King George', and we welcome them too as Official Partners.

"I would like to thank Betfair for their five year sponsorship of the King George, during which time we have seen some tremendous performances and participation from horses from all over Europe and from Japan. I am particularly pleased that they will be remaining as sponsors of the Betfair Ascot Chase in February".

Mark Ody, Betfair's Brand Director, added: "We look forward to another great Betfair Ascot Chase in 2014 and a continued relationship with one of the most pioneering racecourses in the world. By offering customers in-running betting and Cash Out, Betfair is helping horserace betting evolve and compete with other sports to ensure it is as exciting as possible for punters and racegoers".