• The Boylesports.com International (A Hurdle Race) (Grade 2) has been rescheduled for Saturday’s Ascot card (20/12/08)

Following the abandonment of racing at Cheltenham on Saturday 13th December, the British Horseracing Authority has approved the transfer of The Boylesports.com International to Ascot on Saturday, December 20th, 2008. This has been made possible by the generous support of Boylesports, who have continued their sponsorship of the race, Ascot Racecourse and the Horserace Betting Levy Board.

The race will still be run with a Total Prize Fund of £200,000 and all horses previously entered at the 5-day stage will automatically be carried forward to Ascot. Horses wishing to run must be declared at the 24-hour stage on Friday, December 19th. There will be no opportunity for horses not engaged in The Boylesports.com International at noon on Monday, December 8th to enter the race.

Paul Struthers, Media Relations Manager for the British Horseracing Authority, said:

“It’s fantastic news that Boylesports and Ascot have agreed to support the rescheduling of the Boylesports.com International, and thanks must go not just to them but also to the other sponsors and the Levy Board for helping to make it possible.

“Like everyone else involved, Ruth Quinn and her team have worked hard to help make this happen and it’s yet another example of racing being able to work together and come up with a solution that’s in the best interests of racing.”

Charles Barnett, Chief Executive at Ascot, added:

“I have to pay particular tribute to BGC, the meeting’s title sponsors, and Ladbrokes, for being so accommodating and embracing the Boylesports.com International so enthusiastically. Equally, as well as Boylesports, we have to pay tribute to the BHA and Levy Board without whose assistance running the race at £200,000 would not have been possible.

“Our card will exceed £500,000 – a first for jumping at Ascot – and it is particularly good news that the BBC have been able to juggle their programme to include the Boylesports International. These things take time to pull together, and we were all keen to ensure that BBC coverage and the full prize money pot were confirmed before we went public.

“It was unfortunate for Cheltenham Annual Members to lose Saturday’s card and we’re delighted to be offering them half price premier and general admission entrance (£12 and £7 respectively) on the production of their metal badge.”

Revised Running Order:

12:30 52114 The Gooding Group Graduation Steeple Chase (Class 2)
1:05 52113 The BGC Silver Cup Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 1) (Listed)
1:40 52117 The Boylesports.com International (A Hurdle Race) (Class 1) (Grd2)
2:10 52112 The BGC Long Walk Hurdle Race (Class 1) (Grade 1)
2:45 52111 The Ladbroke (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Class 1) (Listed)
3:15 52116 The Foundation Developments Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 3)
3:45 52115 The Racegoers Club Championship Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Class 1) (Grade 2)

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

Revised race conditions are as follows:
ASCOT

December Meeting, 2008

SECOND DAY – Saturday, December 20th

THE BGC CHRISTMAS MEETING

52117
1.40
THE Boylesports.com INTERNATIONAL (A HURDLE RACE) (CLASS 1)
(Grade 2)
Total prize fund £200000
Distributed in accordance with Appendix W (c)(iv)
(Includes a sixth prize)
£114020 to the winning horse
The second to receive £42780, the third £21420, the fourth £10680,
the fifth £5360 and the sixth £2680
for four yrs old and upwards about TWO MILES
£900 stake
Weights: 11st each
Fillies and mares allowed…………………………………………………………………………………..7lb
Penalties, after September 30th, 2007, a winner of a Class 2 weight-for-age hurdle race or a Class 1 handicap hurdle race……………………………………………….…………..4lb
Of a Class 1 weight-for-age hurdle race……………………………………………………………….8lb
(Half penalties for wins achieved in novices’ hurdle races in Great Britain and Ireland)
BOYLESPORTS has generously sponsored this race, the prize money for which includes a trophy value £1000, for the winning owner.
Presentations will be made to the winning owner, trainer, jockey and stable employee and a £200 award given to the stable employee in charge of the best turned out horse in this race.
All number cloths to be carried in this race have been sponsored and will carry the name/logo of BOYLESPORTS.
The sponsorship payment of £500 will be distributed equally amongst all horses starting in this race in accordance with Order 213 of the Orders and Rules of Racing.
Horses will be led past the stands and then allowed to canter to the start.
The breeder of the winner, if qualified under Order 196, will receive a Breeder’s Prize of up to £10000.