racing_news/


Bid for Race Sponsorship at Ayr on Ebay
24/03/05
AYR Racecourse is offering racing fans and businesses a unique opportunity to sponsor a race at this year’s Scottish Grand National Festival by putting it up for auction on eBay.

The race up for grabs is the one immediately after the Gala Casinos Daily Record Scottish Grand National on April 16.

The £20,000 Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles 6 furlongs will open for bidding at £500 and the benefits of sponsoring it are described as follows on the internet auction site.

“Race due to start at 4pm. Sponsorship will include entry to the course, naming rights to race title which will be used in Press and advanced publicity and  PA announcements before and after the race.

“Live coverage on Racing UK, shown on SIS which reaches 9000 bookmakers’ shops and an audience of more than 1.2 million. Product placement opportunities, on course branding, full page advert in the day’s racecard and display of one advertising board on course for the duration of 2005.”

It is believed this is the first time a race has been offered for sponsorship on eBay and Ayr Racecourse General Manager William Gorol said : “We feel that by offering the race sponsorship in this way many people and businesses who may not have previously thought of sponsoring a race will have the opportunity to do so.

”Bids will be accepted until Saturday April 2 and we are looking forward to some heated bidding as interested parties fight to secure the race.”

Other unusual items sold on ebay recently include a Doritos crisp shaped like the Pope’s Hat which fetched 1,209 dollars and a grilled cheese sandwich which cooked up an amazing 28,000 dollars.

Ayr’s Scottish Grand National Festival is the biggest jumps meeting of the year held in Scotland with prizemoney topping £430,000 over the two days. Advance bookings can be made online at www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk or by calling 0870-8505666.