The Derby returned to its rightful place at the head of Britain’s most valuable races with news that Investec is to extend its sponsorship of the Classic and the two-day meeting which supports it by a further ten years. The prize fund for this year’s race, held on the day which the formal celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee begin, is £1,325,000.
Investec’s Bernard Kantor with one of the famous Epsom zebras
Describing the race as having a “magnificent profile in the social arena”, Raymond van Niekerk, Global Head of Marketing at Investec, said: “The Derby Festival is Investec’s grandest single spectacle in sponsorship. Since we started in 2009 the sponsorship has been very rewarding for us as a brand, and it will continue to grow in stature as we work with Epsom to cement the Investec Derby Festival as one of the key events in the British social and sport calendar. The last three years have been very special and we look forward to working with Epsom for at least the next 10 years!”
Owner/breeder Bernard Kantor, who is Managing Director of Investec, added: “It is a real honour for Investec to be involved in such a traditional British event. The last three years have been fantastic, with the likes of Sea the Stars and Workforce winning the Investec Derby, as well as the buzz around Carlton House in last year’s Derby. I am looking forward to many more great renewals to come.”
Investec also sponsors the Epsom Spring Meeting, which is included in the ten-year deal. In addition to an increase in prize-money for the Derby, the prize fund for the Oaks, run on Friday, June 1, has been raised by £25,000 to £350,000. The Diamond Jubilee Coronation Cup, which Investec also sponsors and which has been renamed and moved from Friday to Derby Day to honour the Queen’s presence at Epsom, has received a boost of £50,000, with prize-money for the Group 1 contest now standing at £300,000.
Rupert Trevelyan, Managing Director of Epsom Downs Racecourse said: “We are delighted that Investec have agreed to extend their sponsorship for a further 10 years. They are a fantastic brand to work with, very forward thinking and proactive. It is only fitting for such a prestigious event like the Derby to have such a high profile, committed and long-term partner.”
