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Ayr Racecourse has announced that Virgin Bet is extending their sponsorship of the prestigious Ayr gold cup for the third year in a row.
Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup is now worth PS180,000 and has been recognized as one of the best sprint handicap races across the country. Summerghand claimed victory in 2022, while Bielsa won in 2021.
Increased prize money in the main race is expected to increase competition between contenders. Ayr Racecourse is the only British racecourse to hold not only the Gold Cup, but also the Silver Cup or the Bronze Cup. This gives horses who haven’t been selected for the main event the opportunity to compete on the same course.
Virgin Bet is sponsoring the entire Festival which starts on Thursday, 21st of September. The feature race for the first day will be the Virgin Bet Kilkerran Cup. Joanna Mason won the Virgin Bet Kilkerran Cup last year on Mick and David Easterby’s Yorkshire Lady.
Virgin Bet will sponsor three of the main races at Gold Cup Day, which is Saturday 23rd Sept.
Virgin Bet Firth of Clyde Stakes is Scotland’s sole Group 3 race for two-year old fillies. Virgin Bet will also sponsor the Listed Doonside Cup, and the second largest sprint handicap of this meeting, the Ayr silver Cup.
The Roger Varian-trained Royal Champion won the Doonside Cup last year and went on to win the Wolferton Stakes, a Listed race at Royal Ascot, last month.
Ayr’s Managing Director David Brown stated: “We are delighted to renew our Ayr gold cup partnership with Virgin Bet for the third year. Owners and trainers alike will be thrilled to hear the increased prize money of PS180,000.
Virgin Bet will once again be the sponsor of the 3-day Festival. In addition to the Ayr Cup, Virgin Bet will also sponsor 8 other key races, such as the Firth of Clyde stakes for 2-year-olds, and the mile-and a-quarter Doonside Cup.
Virgin Bet is excited to work with Ayr to create a memorable 3-days event in 2023.
Virgin Bet’s Marketing Director Ric Least said, “We are thrilled to sponsor the esteemed Ayr Cup for the third consecutive year.” We are proud to sponsor this exciting event, which features some of the best horses and jockeys.
Virgin Bet is committed to be a leader in the horse racing world, and sponsorship of this prestigious race shows this. We are thrilled to be able to help make the Ayr Cup a success.
