MARKEL TO SPONSOR UPGRADED HENRY VIII NOVICES CHASE AT SANDOWN PARK
05/10/2011
Sandown Park today announced that The Henry VIII Novices Chase, which will take place on Saturday, 3 December 2011, has not only been upgraded to Grade One status but has also attracted a new sponsor in Markel, the worldwide specialist insurer with a strong equine business.
The Grade One contest is run over 2 miles and has been won in the past by top equine names such as Direct Route, Fondmort and Somersby. On the same card racegoers will also be able to watch the best two mile chasers from the UK and Ireland in the Grade 1 Sportingbet Tingle Creek Chase.
Juliet Redfern, UK Managing Director of Markel’s equine and livestock division, commented: “We are delighted to increase our horse racing sponsorship portfolio at Sandown Park especially as The Henry VIII Novices Chase has been upgraded to Grade One status. We already sponsor Sam Thomas for the Jump season and William Buick for the Flat and we look forward to working with Sandown Park to ensure our inaugural year is a big success.”
David Mackinnon, Managing Director of Sandown Park, commented: “We are firstly delighted to have secured the upgrading of the Henry VIII Chase to Grade One status reflecting our desire to improve our Jump Race Programme wherever possible and secondly to confirm such a forward thinking organisation as a sponsor, further cements our and Markel’s commitment to jump racing. We look forward to working with them to ensure the day is a success.”
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Contact: Johnno Spence
Tel No: 020 7385 8819 / 07860 583307
