Ascot sponsorship deal with Quipco Ascot racecourse has announced it has entered into a five-year agreement with QIPCO Holding headlined by sponsorship of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The £1million King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes sponsored by QIPCO will become the third seven-figure race run at Ascot under QIPCO sponsorship, joining the £1.3million Champion Stakes and £1million Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, which are both run on QIPCO British Champions Day. QIPCO's deal sees the end of Betfair's backing of the race. Sheikh Fahad bin Abdullah Al Thani, director of QIPCO Holding, said: "My brothers and I are delighted to extend our relationship with Ascot through QIPCO's sponsorship of the King George. The race is the defining mid-summer middle0distance contest in Europe and, in recent years, it has become a truly international event." Charles Barnett, chief executive at Ascot, said: "The Al Thani family has, in a very short period, changed the face of British Racing both as sponsors and owners, and they were instrumental in establishing the QIPCO British Champions Series and QIPCO British Champions Day. "I would like to thank Betfair for their five-year sponsorship of the King George, during which time we have seen some tremendous performances and participation from horses from all over Europe and from Japan. I am particularly pleased that they will be remaining as sponsors of the Betfair Ascot Chase in February."
