The Stars from the Here & Now 1980s Concert on Saturday 11th August Part 3

In 2 weeks time 7 stars from the 1980s will perform their classic hits at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup and ‘80s Concert on Saturday 11th August. Today we take a look at another two stars and how they became so popular.


Midge Ure

James ‘Midge’ Ure, OBE is a guitarist, singer, keyboard player and songwriter from north of the border. He enjoyed particular success in the 1970s and 1980s in bands including Slik, Thin Lizzy, The Rich Kids, Visage and most notably as the frontman of Ultravox.

Midge co-wrote and produced the charity single “Do They Know It's Christmas?” and co-organised Band Aid, Live Aid and Live 8 with Bob Geldof. Ure acts as trustee for the charity, and serves as ambassador for Save The Children. His stage name, Midge, is a phonetic reversal of Jim, the diminutive form of his real name. Ascot is indeed honoured to have a such a legend performing on the hallowed Old Paddock turf, belting out his 1980 track “Vienna” (famously beaten to the top spot by Joe Dolce's novelty hit “Shaddap You Face” – but the less said about that the better!)


Bananarama

Bananarama were formed in 1982 by teenagers Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward, Sara then met Siobhan Fahey at the London College of Fashion while studying journalism. Sara and Keren lived above the rehearsal room of former Sex Pistols Steve Jones and Paul Cook. They ended up recording a demo “Aie a Mwana” with Paul. It was signed by Demon Records and was given its first radio play by John Peel. 

The song was a club hit and a favourite of Terry Hall from The Specials. He promptly called them up and asked if they would collaborate on his latest project the Fun Boy 3. Their first hit together was “Ain't What You Do”. In 1987 they entered the GUINESS BOOK of WORLD RECORDS as the most successful girl band in the world (the most Top 40 hits) and still hold the title to this day with 30 Top 40 hits, 11 albums and over 40 million records sold. Having taken the title from the Supremes they decided to pay tribute to them by recording “Nathan Jones”.

QIPCO and British Champions Series Announce New Long-Term Deal

£4m QIPCO British Champions Day on the horizon

 

QIPCO Holding has today signed a new contract to extend its sponsorship of the British Champions Series and British Champions Day for a further five years in an improved deal which enables a £4m QIPCO British Champions Day within the term of the enhanced new contract.

The Day is currently worth £3m, already by far the most valuable raceday in this country.

The improved deal secures ongoing title sponsorship of the QIPCO British Champions Series, including full partnership rights for its starting point at the QIPCO Guineas Festival at Newmarket, the QIPCO Sussex Stakes at Goodwood mid-way through the Series, and the grand finale on QIPCO British Champions Day.

The new agreement will enable British Champions Series to make regular six-figure prize money increases on QIPCO British Champions Day. Significantly, the deal provides additional prize money incentives which elevate the sponsorship levels still further should any of the three non-Group 1 races on QIPCO British Champions Day be upgraded.

The upgrading of these races remains a major short-term goal for the Series and its sponsor, with substantial prize money increases for these races set to follow as soon as this is achieved.

A combination of planned prize money increases and upgrades to all three races could make a £4m QIPCO British Champions Day a reality as early as 2016.

Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani, Chief Executive of QIPCO Holding, said:

“We believe that Britain hosts the world’s best horseracing. We respect and appreciate the heritage of the sport and we would like it to maintain its status as the most important and deep rooted in the world.

“This new deal highlights our commitment to the sport in this country and our desire to make QIPCO British Champions Day the best day’s Flat racing in the international calendar.

“We are still in the early stages of a journey which we hope will contribute to the overall wellbeing of top level Flat racing in this country for many years to come, with the subsequent benefits filtering down to the industry as a whole.

“This objective complements  our own expanding bloodstock and racing operation, in which we have made a very substantial, ongoing investment and which will continue to be based in the UK. 

“The deal reflects the very positive experience that we have enjoyed with British Racing to date, and the pleasure we derive from our association with Britain’s most famous and iconic race meetings such as the Guineas, Derby, Royal Ascot, Goodwood and York.

“We believe that the British Champions Series helps to signpost Britain’s most important and prestigious races to a wider audience and are delighted that it has already contributed to a new broadcast deal for the sport starting in 2013.”

Chris McFadden, Chairman of British Champions Series Limited, said:

“This is fantastic news for British Horseracing. We are absolutely delighted with this new, long-term deal with QIPCO, which puts British Champions Series Limited on a firm financial footing and which will enable us to meet our commercial objectives.

“Our shareholders have made a huge financial investment in delivering the Series and the Day, but none of this would have been possible without QIPCO Holding.

“The Series is a partnership between QIPCO and British Racing and on behalf of everyone involved in the industry in this country, and in particular Newmarket and Goodwood who are thrilled to benefit from the long-term sponsorship of the Guineas Festival and Sussex Stakes, I would like to thank Sheikh Hamad and his brothers for their fantastic ongoing support.”

Rod Street, Chief Executive of British Champions Series, said:

“It took considerable effort and sacrifice to get the concept of British Champions Series and British Champions Day off the ground and QIPCO’s long term commitment reflects the benefits of such innovation.

“Securing a major sponsor is part of virtuous circle of higher prize-money, high quality horses, customer participation and broadcast coverage, all of which safeguards the status of British Flat racing, and a five-year deal gives us the time and resource to grow the Series and Day further.

“The inaugural QIPCO British Champions Day last October attracted six of the world’s ten highest-rated, active horses, something that no other raceday in the world could match last year, and it is vital that we increase prize money as much as possible going forwards to establish the day as a really serious player on the international stage.”

The Stars from the Here & Now 1980s Concert on Saturday 11th August Part 2

In 3 weeks time 7 stars from the 1980s will perform their classic hits at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup and ‘80s Concert on Saturday 11th August. Today we take a look at another two stars and how they became so popular.

 
Belinda Carlisle

Belinda Carlisle makes a welcome return to the ‘80s Day line up having wowed the crowd in 2010. Once of the Go-Gos, Belinda Carlisle launched her solo career in 1996. She didn’t have to wait long for a number one, when the next year “Heaven Is A Place On Earth” reached number 1 in the UK and seven other countries, including the US. Belinda went on a have a further five top ten hits, including “Leave A Light On” in 1989 and “(We Want) The Same Thing” one year later.




Midge Ure

James ‘Midge’ Ure, OBE is a guitarist, singer, keyboard player and songwriter from north of the border. He enjoyed particular success in the 1970s and 1980s in bands including Slik, Thin Lizzy, The Rich Kids, Visage and most notably as the frontman of Ultravox. Midge co-wrote and produced the charity single “Do They Know It's Christmas?” and co-organised Band Aid, Live Aid and Live 8 with Bob Geldof. Ure acts as trustee for the charity, and serves as ambassador for Save The Children.

His stage name, Midge, is a phonetic reversal of Jim, the diminutive form of his real name. Ascot is indeed honoured to have a such a legend performing on the hallowed Old Paddock turf, belting out his 1980 track “Vienna” (famously beaten to the top spot by Joe Dolce's novelty hit “Shaddap You Face” – but the less said about that the better!)


To see these artists perform at the Here & Now Concert on Saturday 11th August plus watch some thrilling horseracing action from Britains premier jockey competition, call 0844 346 3000 or visit ascot.co.uk. Tickets from £26. Generous group discounts available.


Don't forget children under 18 and all entertainment is included in the ticket price!

What a Group 1 Race We Have To Savour

We have a fantastic day’s racing in store today, the second day of Betfair weekend, with the King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair) the headline race and due off at 4.35pm.

It is a race that is looking as though it will not only one of the Group 1 races of this year’s British Flat season, but also of the international racing calendar with many of the world’s leading middle-distance turf horses in the line up.

Of the 10-runner field, six have travelled to Ascot from abroad, with the furthest jet setter being the Japanese-trained runner Deep Brillant; the mileage the horse has had to travel has not been listed in the Racing Post’s “furthest travellers to Ascot” slot.

A case can be made for so many of the runners. Race favourite Nathaniel is bidding to make it back-to-back wins in the race and was impressive last time out when winning the Eclipse Stakes (G1); the improving Sea Moon, second in the Breeders’ Cup (G1) to St Nicholas Abbey last year, beat Dunaden when taking the Hardwicke Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot; St Nicholas Abbey is coming here in the peak of form after winning the Coronation Stakes (G1) at Epsom and finishing second to the top performer Cirrus Des Aigles at Meydan in March.

The hard-knocking Dunaden, the Melbourne Cup (G1) winner last November, put in his best race so far when second to Sea Moon here, and while this season Danedream has not rediscovered her winning Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) form, she is a high class filly and the winner of three Group 1s.

The Japanese raider could be anything. Winner of the Tokyo Yushun (the Japanese Derby), he gets a serious three-year-olds weight allowance and is by Deep Impact, who is developing into one of the most exciting young stallions in the world.

Making up the rest of the field is last year’s Prix du Jockey-Club (G1) (French Derby) winner Reliable Man, who was fourth in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1) at the Royal meeting; the Michael Owen-owned Brown Panther, winner at last year’s Royal Ascot, a runner-up in the St Leger (G1) and a Listed winner in June; Masked Marvel, winner of last year’s St Leger (G1) and, finally, Robin Hood, who is fulfilling pace making duties.
In total, the field has already won an amazing 14 Group 1 races between them.

Which horse will be the one to make it 15?

With the sun having at last appeared and the ground turning good, there will be no excuses for any runner and we are guaranteed a thrilling race. If looking to steer away from the race favourite, then St Nicholas Abbey, a 9-2 chance at writing, might be a bet worth having.

Whatever your fancy, this is going to be a race to savour.

#AscotAsks Sally Duckett, the Live Reporter on the New Ascot Racecourse App

In a special edtion of our #AscotAsks series, we chat to Sally Duckett the Live Reporter on our new Ascot Racecourse App, launched at Royal Ascot this year. Sally will report live from the Parade Ring on every raceday including the Betfair Weekend starting this Friday.

Sally’s wealth of horseracing knowledge, which we found out after chatting to her this week, is perfect for the live reporter.

Racing Background

She initially worked for National Hunt trainer, Robin Dickin and had a few rides under Rules for him and then, throughout her degree and after, she spent much of her time riding racehorses and in point-to-points.

After this, Sally worked for a couple of trainers including Mick Channon, and Charles Egerton, whom she became secretary for but decided she wasn’t organised enough to be a trainer’s secretary (the toughest job in racing!).

She then decided to enter the editing world and became a sub-editor at Raceform. From there, she went onto work at Darley Stud in its marketing department and then the Racing Post with its bloodstock advertising team. After three years she moved onto becoming editor of the Pacemaker magazine.

Sally was then lucky enough to be given the opportunity to run her own business, Thoroughbred Publishing and develop its magazine, International Thoroughbred which to this day is going from strength to strength.


To follow Sally and her up-to-date news from the Parade Ring plus

• Racecards and Results including entries, form and starting price
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Download the Ascot App FREE today by Clicking Here for the iPhone version or Clicking Here for the Android version.

The Stars from the Here & Now 1980s Concert on Saturday 11th August

In 4 weeks time 7 stars from the 1980s will perform their classic hits at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup and ‘80s Concert on Saturday 11th August. Over the coming weeks we’ll reveal how these artists became so popular.

Today we’re starting with Howard Jones and lead singer of Katrina and the Waves, Katrina Leskanich.

Howard Jones

There are few artists who came to prominence in the eighties who are as prolific and hard working as Howard Jones. He seems to be constantly out on tour or creating diverse and superbly crafted albums in his Somerset studio.

In the early ‘80s Howard met David Stopps, promoter of the Friars Club in Aylesbury. Stopps became his manager and he secured a residency at the legendary Marquee Club in London. The rest, as they say, is history. Howard had a string of hits including “New Song”, “What Is Love”, “Hide And Seek” and “Like To Get To Know You Well”. To date, Howard has sold a whopping eight million albums.

Katrina Leskanich

Former lead singer of Katrina and the Waves, Katrina is one of the few women from the 80s who is still performing and recording. Born in Kansas, U.S.A., Katrina Leskanich moved to England in 1976.  Growing up with the West Coast sound (Fleetwood Mac, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Heart) she, together with fellow American and future Wave, Vince de la Cruz, formed the band Mama’s Cookin’.

In 1983, Katrina and Vince joined The Waves and she picked up on some of their musical influences such as Etta James, Velvet Underground and the Stones. The band became Katrina and the Waves and they had their first break in 1984 when The Bangles covered their song “Going Down To Liverpool”.  This drew attention to the group and lead to an international deal with Capitol Records. 

Their first single signed to Capitol was “Walking on Sunshine” and it was an international smash hit in 1985 and has become a feel good classic which is one of the UK’s most played summertime radio tracks.  Incredibly it’s been played over 2 million times in the U.S.A.

To see these artists perform at the Here & Now Concert on Saturday 11th August plus watch some thrilling horseracing action from Britains premier jockey competition, call 0844 346 3000 or visit ascot.co.uk. Tickets from £26. Generous group discounts available.

Don't forget children under 18 and all entertainment is included in the ticket price!

Frankie Dettori to Carry Olympic Torch

It’s been confirmed that one of horseracing’s most loved personalities will be carrying the Olympic Flame when it reaches the world-famous Ascot Racecourse, tomorrow afternoon (10th July).

 

Frankie Dettori, who is best known for his magnificent seven winners in one day at Ascot, will be passed the Torch as it makes its way from Ascot High Street, into the racecourse for a circuit of the Parade Ring.

As ambassador of the prestigious QIPCO British Champions Series, Frankie will be further adding to the spectacle on the day by carrying the Torch on horseback. He will be riding former top-class racehorse, Monsignor, on loan from racehorse rehoming charity HEROS.

Speaking of his Olympic Torchbearing challenge, Dettori said: “It is an honour and a privilege to be invited to carry the Olympic Flame, especially at a track that holds such happy memories for me. I’ll be watching when the Flame reaches its final destination and the Olympic Games can begin.”

Members of the public can also share in the special moment at the racecourse, which will be opening its gates to the public for free from 3pm, with the Torch expected to arrive in Ascot at 4.26pm and at the racecourse itself at 4.35pm.

Gates will remain open until 7.30pm and there will be a range of additional activities taking place on the course, including a fun-fair – with rides charged at a modest cost – and live music from the band, Ascot Brass. There will also be stalls offering a variety of refreshment options.

Aaron Gryder, Matthew Chadwick and Cristian Demuro Set To Make Their Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Debuts

Japanese superstar Yutaka Take and three-time German champion Andreas Suborics return for world's premier international jockeys' competition

 
Californian ace Aaron Gryder, best known internationally for his victory on Well Armed in the 2009 Dubai World Cup, rising Hong Kong star Matthew Chadwick and reigning Italian champion Cristian Demuro will all make their Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup debuts at Ascot on Saturday, August 11.

The line-up for the Rest of the World team of male jockeys is confirmed today as Yutaka Take (Captain, Japan), Aaron Gryder (USA) and Matthew Chadwick (Hong Kong).

The line-up for the European team of male jockeys will be Frankie Dettori (Captain, Italy), if he is available to ride, with his team-mates Andreas Suborics (Germany) and Cristian Demuro (Italy).

The line-up for the Great Britain & Ireland male team will be announced closer to the event.

The three male teams will go against the first ever all-female team to take part in an international jockeys' competition, made of up of arguably the world's three top female riders, Hayley Turner (Captain, UK), Chantal Sutherland (Canada/USA) and Emma-Jayne Wilson (Canada). This line-up was announced in April.

Yutaka Take, 43, the legendary Japanese superstar who has been crowned champion jockey in his homeland no less than 18 times and who has ridden four Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup winners in his five appearances in the competition to date, will captain the Rest of the World Team.

The highly experienced Aaron Gryder, 42, will fly in from San Francisco to have his first experience of riding in Britain since 1992. He has won titles at Churchill Downs, Arlington Park and Aqueduct and also had a successful stint in Hong Kong, but is best known for his Dubai World Cup win which was achieved by a stunning margin of a 14 lengths, a record for the world's richest horse race.

Matthew Chadwick, who turns 22 next week, promises to be the best ever home-grown jockey in Hong Kong. He will have his first taste of racing in Britain when he spends a few weeks with trainer Charlie Hills in Lambourn later this month, with agent Laura Way booking his rides. He started as an apprentice in Hong Kong well into the 2008/9 season, yet still won the champion apprentice title with 43 winners and rode out his claim in January, 2010, in a Hong Kong record of one year and three weeks.

Frankie Dettori, 41, has not been able to take part in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup since 2008, but with three retained jockeys now riding for Godolphin, the hope is that the three-time UK champion jockey may be free to ride this year.

Andreas Suborics, three times champion jockey in Germany, took part in one previous Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, back in 2007. Ironically that was the last time August 11 was the date for the Shergar Cup - it is Suborics' birthday which he will once again celebrate at Ascot, this time bringing his family over with him as he turns 41.

Cristian Demuro, Mirco's younger brother, won the Italian championship last year at the age of just 19 after riding 222 winners during the season. He partnered 153 winners in 2010 to finish second in the table and has also ridden winners in Japan, where he has spent two successful stints, and Dubai. The young Italian phenomenon will turn 20 this Sunday.

Nick Smith, Head of Communications for Ascot Racecourse, said: "This promises to be the most exciting Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup in the event's history, with the first all-female team and more international jockeys taking part than ever before, some legends in their own countries and some who are rapidly rising young stars."

Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman, Colm McLoughlin, commented: "The international aspect is one of the most attractive elements of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup to us as a global brand.

"We are thrilled to be helping to create an opportunity for racegoers in the UK to see so many of horseracing's top international stars in action at one of the world's most famous sporting venues."