Vodafone dials up €147,200 chase

Derby sponsor Vodafone, the mobile telecommunications giant, is to make its first venture into jumps racing by backing the second day of Newbury’s revamped early March meeting.

The main race on Saturday, March 6, will be the £100,000 (€147,200) Vodafone Gold Cup, a handicap chase over two and a half miles.

It will be supported by a £14,000 (€20,600) three-mile handicap chase, a £16,000 (€23,600) handicap hurdle and a further four races bearing the Vodafone name.

The seven races will generate total prize money of £172,000 (€253,200), more than doubling the money on offer on the equivalent day last year.

Tim Brown, group corporate affairs director of Vodafone, said: “With the renewed interest in racing that is being shown by the public, it is an excellent time to announce our sponsorship of the Vodafone Gold Cup.

“Not only does this sponsorship make good commercial sense, it is also a great opportunity for us to support the racecourse in Newbury, the town where we have been headquartered since our formation in 1983.”

Lisa Ward, Newbury racecourse’s marketing manager, added: “We are thrilled to be extending our association with Vodafone through this sponsorship, and with their help creating another important showcase for jump racing."