William Hill extends Ayr Gold Cup backing

WILLIAM Hill has extended its sponsorship of the Ayr Gold Cup Festival by three years until September 2016.
Tony McCoy: Not passed fit. Picture: PATony McCoy: Not passed fit. Picture: PA
Tony McCoy: Not passed fit. Picture: PA

The bookmaking firm has sponsored the three-day meeting since 2009 after initially signing a three-year deal which was later added to by two years.

The contract covers full naming rights of the three-day fixture and sponsorships of the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup, which is Europe’s most valuable sprint handicap, the Silver and Bronze Cups, plus the Doonside Cup, Ayrshire Handicap and Kilkerran Cup.

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William Hill sponsorship and PR manager Jennie Prest said: “We are delighted to be renewing our sponsorship of the Gold Cup Festival once again, and to be continuing our now long-standing relationship with the team at Ayr Racecourse.

“Year-on-year the meeting is popular with both the punters, who love the challenge of the Bronze, Silver and Gold Cups and the racegoers.”

Ayr chairman Alan Macdonald said: “By signing this three-year extension both parties can look forward to continuing to work together to maintain and increase the profile of this marvellous three days of racing which is without doubt one of the highlights of the Flat season in the UK.”

Meanwhile, Tony McCoy had to give up his rides at Warwick yesterday after failing a doctor’s test following a fall at Fakenham on Tuesday. However, the 18-times champion jockey hopes to be back in action at Chepstow today, where he has three booked mounts.

“I’ll hopefully be riding tomorrow,” said McCoy, who passed the 4,000 career winner mark at Towcester earlier this month.

The Ulsterman was due to have five rides at Warwick but officials felt he had not fully recovered from his tumble on Dursey Sound at the Norfolk circuit, where he suffered bruising.

“The doctor wasn’t willing to pass him fit today,” said Warwick clerk of the course Sulekha Varma.

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