Doncaster Racecourse is delighted to announce the 250th Doncaster Cup has new support for 2016. The Group 2 race which will be run next week on Friday 9 September, the third day of the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival, has new official partners with four design development consultants supporting the historic race.
The Course Redevelopment team comprises of Arcadis, KKA Architecture, TRP Consulting and Troup Bywaters + Anders and they have all come on board as official partners of the two and a quarter mile race worth £100,000. The four companies are all working with Doncaster Racecourse, Doncaster Council and other stakeholders on exciting plans to construct a new Hilton Hotel on the west side of the racecourse.
The Doncaster Cup was first staged in 1766, ten years before the running of the St Leger, the world’s old Classic. Originally called the Doncaster Gold Cup and run over four miles, the race took place at Cantley Common until moving to Town Moor. Today the race sees some of the best staying thoroughbreds in Great Britain and Ireland compete as part of the Qipco British Champions’ Series and the final leg of the stayers’ Triple Crown. The most successful horse in the Doncaster Cup was Beeswing, who won the race four times between 1837 and 1842, while the winning-most jockey was Joe Mercer who took his tally to eight with back-to-back triumphs on the great Le Moss in 1979 and 1980. Her Majesty the Queen enjoyed victory in 2014 with Estimate, trained by Sir Michael Stoute.
In order to mark the 250 year milestone Doncaster Racecourse has commissioned Christopher Perry, a Sheffield born silversmith, to create a striking trophy that depicts the historic importance of this race yet symbolises horseracing in a modern era.
The gilt gold trophy pays homage to its origin as the Gold Cup. Its grandiose goblet shape is born from a Yorkshire Rose base that encircles the stem and culminates in a smooth gilt gold circular chalice designed by Christopher and his colleague Christopher Knight, the lead designer and manufacturer of the St. Leger Stakes Perpetual Trophy.
Christopher Perry, said: “The Doncaster Cup is a fantastic commission for us. Being from Yorkshire and already having worked with Doncaster Racecourse on a previous project we were delighted to be given this important assignment to design a whole new cup in celebration of the race’s 250th anniversary.”
All racegoers will have the chance to enjoy a one-off exhibition on course in the main grandstand on Doncaster Cup day. This exhibition will tell the story of the race through the years and allow racing fans a chance to view key memorabilia from the race’s 250 year history.
On behalf of the Course Redevelopment team Stuart Dick of Arcadis said: “We are delighted, as a team, to be sponsoring The 250th Doncaster Cup as part of our ongoing work with Doncaster Racecourse. While we work on plans that will help shape the future of the racecourse it is apt that we have the opportunity to lend our support to a race that is steeped in so much history. All four companies look forward to attending on the day and enjoying a really exciting race.”
Executive Director of Doncaster Racecourse, Kieran Gallagher, said: “We are really pleased to have extended our relationship with our four design development partners and thank them for the support they are showing the Doncaster Cup. The race has a long and prestigious history and it is fitting that companies working on future plans for the racecourse have come on board to support one of our feature races.”
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