A working holiday in the USA courtesy of the sponsors, QIPCO Holding, will be the special prize for the winner of the richest race for apprentice jockeys in this country, the £25,000 QIPCO Future Stars Apprentices’ Handicap which closes the QIPCO British Champions Day card at Ascot on Saturday (15 October).
The timing and destination of the working holiday will be agreed in conjunction with the successful jockey, but it is likely that they will be based in California with one of the trainers used by QIPCO Director Sheikh Fahad's racing operation, Pearl Bloodstock, which has horses with Simon Callaghan and Ben Cecil.
At 2.45pm on Saturday, some of the apprentices will give a special masterclass in race riding on the two equicisers that the public can try out in the Interactive Racing Zone, where racegoers can also meet the retired racehorse, Monsignor, have a go on Nintendo Wii’s “Championship Jockey” or have a crack at a race commentary in the Commentary Karaoke booth.
Sheikh Fahad's representative, David Redvers, said: “Where possible, Sheikh Fahad and his brothers wanted to give added and lasting value to the winners on QIPCO British Champions Day.
“For the winner of the Fillies & Mares race there is the free nomination to Makfi and for the winning rider of the apprentice race we came up with the idea of a working holiday in the USA.
“If you speak to the likes of Frankie Dettori, Kieren Fallon or Hayley Turner, they will point to their experiences in America as being critical to their development into top class riders.”
Kevin Darley, Chief Executive of the Professional Jockeys’ Association, commented: “It’s fantastic that QIPCO Holding are willing to support our stars of the future by providing them with a platform to shine on such a prestigious day.”
Rod Street, Chief Executive of British Champions Series Ltd, said: “Staging the country’s most valuable apprentices’ race to close the card will give the future stars of our sport the chance to share some of the limelight on QIPCO British Champions Day, whilst allowing the professional jockeys to meet all media commitments at the end of this ground-breaking new day.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Alistair Haggis, British Champions Series: 07761 896 500; ahaggis@britishchampionsseries.com
QIPCO British Champions Series – the world’s finest Flat racing
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