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Goodwood, Qatar in Sponsorship Deal

| 12:00 am

GOODWOOD, QATAR IN SPONSORSHIP DEAL 
Goodwood Racecourse and Qatar have entered into a 10-year sponsorship deal that is the most significant in the history of British racing. The deal will result in over £2 million being invested into prize money for eight races during the Qatar Goodwood Festival–also known as Glorious Goodwood–in 2015, with a commitment to increases year-on-year. Total prize money for the festival will total £4.5 million next year. The meeting’s flagship race, the G1 Qatar Sussex S., will be worth £1 million, up from £300,000 this year. The meeting’s other Group 1, the Nassau S. for fillies and mares, is up to £600,000 from £200,000. 

The week’s three feature Group 2 races, the Lennox S., the Goodwood Cup and the King George S., will each be worth £300,000, and Qatar has guaranteed that if any of those events reaches Group 1 status the purse will rise to at least £500,000. 

The meeting’s two Group 2s for 2-year-olds, the Vintage S. and the Richmond S., will each be run for £200,000 next year. The Qatar Stewards Cup, the headline handicap of the week, will be worth £250,000. 

The Qatar Goodwood Festival will take place July 28 to Aug. 1, 2015. 

“I am delighted that Qatar have decided to play a significant part in Goodwood’s position as one of the finest racing experiences in the world,” said Lord March, owner of Goodwood. “Goodwood has, for more than 200 years, been about the best racing in the most English of settings, accessible to everyone. Our partnership with Qatar will make an enormous contribution to horse racing in the UK.” 

Hamad Al Attiyah, president of the Qatar Equestrian Federation, added, “Thanks to the wise guidance of His Highness The Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar supports sport all over the world. Goodwood is already one of the most iconic sporting festivals of the British summer season and we are delighted to be the title sponsor over the five days.” 

It was also revealed that at least two Arabian races would be contested at the Qatar Goodwood festival.