Chapel Down to sponsor Ascot race

English wine producer Chapel Down has announced it will be sponsoring one of the races at the Ascot Festival of Food & Wine Raceday next month.

The ‘Chapel Down Handicap Stakes’ will take place on 9 September during the four-day festival which is a celebration of British food and drink – and horse racing of course.

Over 100 food and wine producers will be exhibiting their produce at the festival including Chapel Down, which is already an official supplier of the prestigious racecourse.

During Royal Ascot week earlier this summer, a highlight of the British racing calendar, some 5,000 bottles of the English sparkling wine were sold to punters.

Chapel Down managing director, Mark Harvey, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with the team at Ascot on an association that resonates well with our consumers. What better way to enjoy a glass of fine English sparkling wine than at the iconic and quintessentially English setting of Ascot Racecourse.”

Jonathan Parker, director of Food & Beverage at Ascot Racecourse, added: “Quality food and drink is an important part of the Ascot Racecourse offering and we are delighted to welcome Chapel Down as a race sponsor.

“The Festival of Food & Wine Racing Weekend in September is a culinary highlight, combining two days of exhilarating Flat racing with a four-day celebration of food and wine and we are sure that Chapel Down will continue to be a success among our racegoers.”

Chapel Down is already a sponsor of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race as well as Royal Opera House and London Symphony Orchestra.

Elsewhere, in May this year, Coates & Seely became the exclusive English sparkling wine at Goodwood Racecourse. As part of this partnership with the famous Sussex course, Goodwood’s Gordon Pavilion, which overlooks the Parade Ring, is now known as the Coates & Seely Pavilion.