Howden Steps In as Major Sponsor of Guineas Festival

Insurance broker Howden has extended its backing of British racing with mass sponsorship at this weekend's Guineas meeting at Newmarket.

While QIPCO retains the sponsorship of the first two Classics of the season, the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas, the Howden name is now attached to 13 races across the Saturday and Sunday of the three-day fixture that kicks off the QIPCO British Champions Series. These include the G2 Howden Dahlia S. and G3 Howden Palace House S.

David Howden, who was profiled last year in TDN, is the founder of the global insurance group that bears his name and has a growing presence in the racing world as both owner and breeder. His company has a five-year deal as an official partner of Royal Ascot and it was also recently announced that Frankie Dettori would be a brand ambassador for Howden in the jockey's final year of race-riding. 

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with The Jockey Club for The QIPCO Guineas Festival,” said David Howden, who is also the company's chief executive. “The excitement of top-class juvenile horses making their debuts, alongside the return of some of last year's stars, is always eagerly anticipated. And there are few races more prestigious in the British racing calendar than the QIPCO 1000 and 2000 Guineas. This sponsorship further enables Howden to build on our equine industry relationships, and continue our support of racing and its stakeholders.”

Sophie Able, manager and international director of Newmarket Racecourses, added, “The team at Newmarket Racecourses is delighted to be partnering with a brand of Howden's standing and commitment to British racing for our premier fixture of the year.

“We are counting down the final days to what should be a historic QIPCO Guineas Festival with the Coronation of King Charles III and some of exceptional Flat racing, and we look forward to working with our partners at Howden next weekend.”