Over the last year, SBK has made a name in sponsorship for individual jockeys, taking on names such as Tom Bellamy, Nicola Currie, Sean Levey and Richard Kingscote under its listings. SBK has also recently announced the sponsorship of trainer George Boughey. This step sees an expansion into race sponsorship.
SBK spokesperson Adam Baylis, said: "We are very excited to sponsor the illustrious Grade 1 Clarence House Chase Raceday. It represents a fantastic opportunity for SBK to partner with a racecourse like Ascot.”
The Clarence House Chase, set to take place on 22 January 2022, features as one of the highlights of the National Hunt season. It sees two-mile chasers from Britain and Ireland competing for the title, with some of the previous winners being Desert Orchid, Altior and Master Minded.
Nicky Henderson, 2019 race winner with Altior, could be represented in January by Shishkin, winner of eight races in a row.
Another winner is Willie Mullins’ Un De Sceaux, champion of the Clarence House Chase three times between 2016 and 2018. It is unsure who Mullins will send this time to take on the two-mile, one-furlong competition, with possibilities being Energumene or Allaho.
Felicity Barnard, Ascot Commercial Director, commented: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming SBK to Ascot next year as title sponsor, for the SBK Clarence House Chase Raceday. The day is a firm favourite among our racegoers and we are delighted to embark on this new sponsorship.”
Recently, it was announced that SBK will sponsor horse racing trainer, George Boughey. Having sent out 81 winners so far this year, Boughey is an 'exciting prospect'.
