Talking Horses: Epsom Derby seeks title sponsor after Investec ends deal

The most famous Flat race in the calendar is in need of a new sponsor following the surprising news that Investec, the asset management firm that has supported the Classic since 2009, has ended its 11-year association with Epsom racecourse with six years still left to run on its current contract.

The Racing Post reported on Thursday evening that Jockey Club Racecourses had agreed to end its latest deal with Investec, which was due to run until 2026, and seek a new main sponsor for the Derby, Oaks and Coronation Cup, the three Group One events run over the two-day Derby meeting in early June.

Investec is reportedly “working to a new set of priorities and a new mix of marketing channels”, and said that it had been “proud to play a role in the Derby’s recent history”. This year’s Derby took place a month later than normal due to the coronavirus lockdown, and without the usual crowd of more than 100,000 spectators that regularly congregates on the Surrey downs to watch the world’s most famous Classic.

The Oaks took place on the same afternoon, while the Coronation Cup was staged at Newmarket in early June. The unexpected news of Investec’s departure leaves three of British racing’s Classic events without a sponsor, as the St Leger at Doncaster is also unsponsored at present. Jockey Club Racecourses has some time to find a new supporter for its most famous Flat race as the next running is just over 10 months away, but in a deeply uncertain economic and social climate, it could be a very difficult task to find a sponsor to match the one it has lost.

Friday’s best bets

As for today’s racing, Al Rufaa (1.10) will take some stopping back on turf at Newmarket after a wide-margin success in a first-time hood at Kempton 11 days ago. John Gosden’s colt is bred to win Classics and showed a striking turn of foot to go clear last time out, while stopping the clock in a time that suggests he was full value for the margin of just under five lengths.

Newmarket
12.00 Sadiqaa
12.35 Champagne Supernova
1.10 Al Rufaa (nap)
1.40 Top Class Angel
2.15 Nugget (nb)
2.50 Darain
3.20 Union Spirit
3.55 Grand Bazaar

Beverley
12.15 Crown Princess
12.50 Nibras Again
1.20 Dromquinna
1.50 Kentuckyconnection
2.25 Le Chiffre
3.00 Global Exceed
3.35 Burguillos
4.10 Kitten’s Dream
4.45 Snookered

Newton Abbot
4.35 Templepark
5.05 Solstalla
5.35 Scotsbrook Night
6.05 Sammylou
6.35 Moabit
7.05 Tidal Watch
7.35 Soldier Of Love
8.05 Gold Mountain
8.35 Beholden

Ripon
4.55 Salsoul
5.25 Not On Your Nellie
5.55 Jumeirah Beach
6.25 Brian The Snail
6.55 Vitare
7.25 Al Muffrih
7.55 Kensington Art
8.25 Strawberry Rock

Nugget (2.15) also looks very solid a couple of races later. Richard Hannon’s colt was second in a strong time at Windsor 11 days ago behind an opponent who saved every possible inch of ground against the rail. This is his last chance to race off 87 before going up 5lb for that run and he should make it a winning one.

Darain (2.50) is too short to back but is worth looking out for with an eye to the future, as he was the most expensive yearling sold at auction anywhere in the world in 2018 and looked like he might recoup at least a portion of his 3.5m guineas price tag when he bolted up on his belated debut at Newbury earlier this month. Grand Bazaar (3.55) also has an obvious chance on the same card, while Kentuckyconnection (1.50) and Le Chiffre (2.25) have big claims at Beverley.

source: theguardian.com