4 August 2010

The 20 Premiership teams that will be competing for the 2010 PFA Football Furlong trophy were officially unveiled on Monday evening at this year’s host venue – Royal Windsor Racecourse.

Premiership stalwarts Manchester United, Spurs and Chelsea will as ever be represented, but fans will also be able to see newcomers Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackpool who will be competing for the Football Furlong trophy for the first time.

Spurs supremo – Harry Redknapp – was also unveiled as the event’s official ambassador, hailing: “there’s nowhere better than racing at Windsor – it’s always special there. I think the easiest way to find a winner will be for fans to pick their horses by their team’s colours – it might be easier than going on the horses form!”

Matthew Foxton-Duffy, Sales & Marketing Manager at Royal Windsor Racecourse said: “It’s fantastic to have Harry Redknapp on board and coming to Windsor on Sunday for Football Furlong day.  He is a legend in the football world and we are really looking forward to a great day of football activities and top class racing – we just hope Spurs can win the Football Furlong trophy for Harry too!”

The PFA-partnered Football Furlong event is the one day of the year when the sports of football and horse racing come together.  All the jockeys wear the representative generic colours of the 20 Premiership football clubs rather than the traditional silks of the owners of the horses they are riding. Horses and jockeys accrue points for the teams which go towards a league table throughout the day.

Football Furlong was first won by Tottenham Hotspur at the inaugural event in 2004. The London based clubs are well represented with Fulham, Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham and Spurs, who will all looking to win their first silverware of the season. 

Before racing begins at Royal Windsor Racecourse, the 2010 PFA Football Furlong Mascot Challenge will be run, with sporting mascots galloping along the final furlong of the racecourse. The first three mascots across the line qualify for a special penalty shootout against a top goalkeeper.

Gates open at Royal Windsor Racecourse on Sunday, 8 August at 12pm.  The first race is at 2.30pm.  Admission: £9 Silver Ring Enclosure; £17 Grandstand Enclosure; £23 Club Enclosure.  Racegoers under 18 free when accompanied by an adult. More details about Royal Windsor Racecourse can be found at www.windsor-racecourse.co.uk

ENDS

Photo Caption:

Invited racegoers pose in 2010-2011 Premiership team silks, with Scotty the Stag from Windsor & Eton FC

For further media information, please contact:

Rod Kohler 
Tel: 0207 928 9999
Mob: 07770 647662
Managing Director
Revolution Sports Marketing Group 

Kate Hills
Tel: 01342 834 800
Mob: 07813 947201
Director of Public Relations & Communications 
Arena Leisure Racing 

Disclaimer: Neither Football Furlong or any other parties associated with the event are authorised by or associated with any of the Clubs or The Premier League.

2 August 2010

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has made a shock start to the Premiership pre-season – by signing to the PFA Football Furlong.

Spurs fans need not worry – their supremo has only signed to be the Official Ambassador to the unique football-themed race day at Royal Windsor Racecourse on Sunday 8 August and has no plans to leave the London club!

The PFA-partnered Football Furlong event is the one day of the year when the sports of football and horse racing come together.

All the jockeys wear the representative generic colours of the 20 Premiership football clubs rather than the traditional silks of the owners of the horses they are riding. Horses and jockeys accrue points for the teams which go towards a league table throughout the day.

Football Furlong was first won by Tottenham Hotspur at the inaugural event in 2004. The London based clubs are well represented with Fulham, Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham and Spurs, who will all looking to win their first silverware of the season. 

Redknapp said, “The PFA Football Furlong raceday is a great way for fans to back their teams before the season starts. It’s sure to be a cracking day out and great fun for all the supporters – there’s a free football masterclass, prizes for the best dressed fans and a mascot race – as well as six top class races”.

Before racing begins at Royal Windsor Racecourse, the 2010 PFA Football Furlong Mascot Challenge will be run, with sporting mascots galloping along the final furlong of the racecourse. The first three mascots across the line qualify for a special penalty shootout against a top goalkeeper.

Gates open at Royal Windsor Racecourse on Sunday, 8 August at 12pm.  The first race is at 2.30pm.  Admission: £9 Silver Ring Enclosure; £17 Grandstand Enclosure; £23 Club Enclosure.  Racegoers under 18 free when accompanied by an adult. More details about Royal Windsor Racecourse can be found at www.windsor-racecourse.co.uk

ENDS

For further media information, please contact:

Rod Kohler
Tel: 0207 928 9999
Mob: 07770 647662
Managing Director
Revolution Sports Marketing Group   

Kate Hills
Tel: 01342 834 800
Mob: 07813 947201
Director of Public Relations & Communications 
Arena Leisure Racing 

Disclaimer: Neither Football Furlong or any other parties associated with the event are authorised by or associated with any of the Clubs or The Premier League.

21 July 2010

ETX CAPITAL – the London-based financial spread betting firm – has completed a highly successful month-long partnership with Corney & Barrow Wine Bars. The campaign comprised a range of branding activities including exclusive sponsorship of each of the 13 bars’ television and projector screens for the duration of the FIFA 2010 World Cup Finals. The television branding was supported by promotional posters in each City bar.

As well as promoting the ETX Capital brand, Corney & Barrow’s clientele were given the chance to win a £2,500 account credit and runners-up prizes of £250 account credits with the leading financial spread betting firm, through business card drop boxes at each venue.

Stuart Lane, Head of Sales & PR at ETX Capital, said: “The World Cup partnership with Corney & Barrow Wine Bars has been fantastic for ETX Capital and has given us the opportunity to engage with and promote our brand name to their customers.

We are thrilled with the results and as a consequence of the month’s alliance with Corney & Barrow Wine Bars, ETX Capital has experienced a surge in new business, with a significant number of new accounts opened and general enquiries made.”

The promotion, which was managed by Revolution Sports Marketing Group, ran until Sunday, 11 July 2010. The names of the main prize winner and 13 runners-up are due to be announced on Monday, 19 July 2010.
 
ENDS
 
For further information, please contact:

Rod Kohler at Revolution Sports on 0207 928 9999
Stuart Lane at ETX Capital on 0207 392 1439

Notes to editors:

ETX Capital is a trading name of Monecor (London) Ltd. which is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority

Eric Lamaze (CAN), winner of the Rolex Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen on Sunday, 18 July 2010, wearing the Green & Gold

20 July 2010

Olympic Jumping champion Eric Lamaze (CAN) has returned to the number one spot in the Rolex Rankings.
 
The Canadian, who took individual gold and team silver at the Beijing 2008 Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong, was ranked second in the world in February and March and was third in the April and May rankings. He is now back at the top of the rankings for the first time since February 2009.
 
Pius Schwizer (SUI), who has been world number one in the Rolex Rankings for the past five months, has now dropped down to second, with reigning European champion Kevin Staut (FRA) moving up one place to third. Rolex FEI World Cup™ champion Marcus Ehning (GER), who was in second in the May rankings, is now in fourth.

FOOTBALL FURLONG was today officially launched at Royal Windsor Racecourse by top jockeys Kieren Fallon and Hayley Turner.

The event will see jockeys racing in the generic colours of the 20 Premiership football clubs rather than the traditional silks of the owners of the horses they are riding.
 
The horses and jockeys accrue points for the teams that they represent, which go towards a league table throughout the day’s racing. The team with the highest number of points after the sixth race on Sunday, 8 August 2010 will be crowned the 2010 Football Furlong champion.

Chelsea FC will be supporting the event through its Football in the Community programme by running free football masterclasses for up to 2,000 children at the racecourse before racing starts. There will also be a host of other football related activities including a penalty shoot out, human football tables and appearances from Premiership footballers and football personalities.

With all accompanied children under the age of 18 being admitted to the racecourse free of charge, and adult admission starting at just £9, it’s an affordable day out for all the family.
 
Matthew Foxton-Duffy, Sales & Marketing Manager at Royal Windsor Racecourse, said:
“Football Furlong is an extremely exciting prospect, which has proved very successful in recent years at Haydock Park and Leopardstown Racecourses. It is a groundbreaking initiative that has been added to the Royal Windsor Racecourse fixtures calendar, and we look forward to welcoming a new crowd of racing fans to the racecourse and to the sport.
 
“With the event being held on the same day as the FA Community Shield it will be great to see how Chelsea and Manchester United fare in a horseracing environment.”
 
Before racing begins at Royal Windsor Racecourse, the 2010 Football Furlong Mascot Challenge will be run, with sporting mascots galloping along the final furlong of the racecourse. The first three mascots across the line qualify for a special penalty shootout against a top goalkeeper.
 
Headline sponsorship is now available with overall event title naming rights, including jockey’s branding on the special football silks, providing significant brand awareness, promotional and VIP hospitality benefits.

Gates open at Royal Windsor Racecourse on Sunday, 8 August at 12pm.  The first race is at 2.30pm.  Admission: £9 Silver Ring Enclosure; £17 Grandstand Enclosure; £23 Club Enclosure.  Racegoers under 18 free when accompanied by an adult. More details about Royal Windsor Racecourse can be found at www.windsor-racecourse.co.uk

Copyright free image. Caption: Top jockeys Kieren Fallon and Hayley Turner battle for 2010 Football Furlong Trophy being staged at Royal Windsor Racecourse on Sunday 8 August 2010.

ENDS
 
For further information, please contact:

Matthew Foxton-Duffy, Sales & Marketing Manager at Royal Windsor Racecourse, on 01753 498 442; or Rod Kohler at Football Furlong on 0207 928 9999

10, March 2010

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing contender, Oliver Townend, confirmed yesterday that he plans to ride Ashdale Cruise Master at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, as well as possibly ODT Master Rose.

Ashdale Cruise Master completed the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials last year with Emily Gilruth, and when she became pregnant the owners, Henry and Edna Harding, moved him to Townend’s Shropshire yard. “He’s a very classy horse, with lots and lots of scope,” said Townend. “My biggest problem is it’s a race against time on the dressage front, but he’s definitely one of the best horses I’ve ridden.”

Townend’s result at Burghley has set up a thrilling competition in Lexington, Kentucky in April, when he could become only the second rider, after Pippa Funnell, to scoop the $350,000 Rolex Grand Slam for winning the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, all in succession. So far the Rolex Grand Slam feat has only been achieved by Pippa Funnell, who won all three competitions in 2003 on two different horses.

The 2010 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event is from 22-25 April.

Photos courtesy of Kit Houghton featuring Oliver Townend at yesterday’s Rolex Grand Slam day in London with The Household Cavalry at the Royal Horse Guards Parade and Hyde Park Barracks.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Rod Kohler                  Tel:             +44 207 928 9999
Revolution Sports         Mobile:        +44 7770 647 662

10, December 2009

The International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC), in partnership with The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), today launched a major new initiative to recognize the world’s best rider according to the Rolex Rankings.

Starting at the 2009 Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final in Paris, the leading rider will wear a Green & Gold armband featuring the words, “Number 1, The Rolex Rankings”, at all FEI Jumping events throughout 2010.

The Rolex Rankings are updated every week and officially released at the start of each calendar month. The Number 1 ranked rider will wear the Green & Gold for as long as they remain in the top position, handing it over to another rider only when they are knocked off the Number 1 spot.

Presenting the first Green & Gold to Marcus Ehning, FEI Bureau Member Christian Paillot said, “There are many famous items of clothing which recognize sporting excellence including the Yellow jersey in the Tour de France and the Green Jacket at The Masters Golf – the sport of Jumping now has its own.”

Marcus Ehning, the first rider to receive the Green & Gold from IJRC President Rodrigo Pessoa, said, “It is a great privilege to be the first holder of the new Green & Gold armband and I hope to wear it for many months to come! The Rolex Rankings are the only true guide to a rider’s current form, and the Green & Gold is a great way for equestrian fans to quickly identify the leading rider when they compete in competitions throughout the world.”

The World Jumping Riders Rankings were originally launched by the FEI in the 2000 and became the Rolex Rankings in 2007. Points are awarded to riders who compete in FEI events throughout the year and they are the only rankings which provide up to date rider standings on a monthly basis.

Ranking points are awarded to riders who compete in both team and individual events throughout the year, with the number of points dependent on the level of the competition and prize money available. The top rated events for individual riders include The Rolex FEI World Cup™ Final, the final competition of the European Championships and a number of 5* competitions. Top rated team events include the FEI Nations Cup™ Top League competitions, the team competitions at the Olympic Games, the FEI World Equestrian Games and FEI European Championships.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Rod Kohler                    Tel:             +44 207 928 9999
Revolution Sports         Mobile:        +44 7770 647662

3, December 2009

Polo legend Gonzalo Pieres Jr, a 10 goal handicapper on three continents and currently the World Polo Tour No.1 ranked player, has signed an exclusive partnership with iconic watchmaker Rolex.

Gonzalo joins the select group of Rolex Testimonees – exceptional individuals who excel in their chosen sport – who all share Rolex’s philosophy: the constant pursuit of perfection. These include the world’s longest standing No 1 tennis player Roger Federer, golfers Phil Michelson and Loreno Ochoa, show jumper Rodrigo Pessoa and Three-Day Event rider Zara Phillips.

Commenting on the partnership, Gonzalo Pieres said, “It is a great honour to have been asked to become a Rolex Testimonee; my approach to life is to strive for perfection in everything I do and these principles are shared by the Rolex brand.”

He continued, “I have grown up watching Rolex Testimonees compete at the highest level in sporting events around the world and, like them, I have aspired to be considered the best in my chosen sport of polo. Becoming a Rolex Testimonee is not only a privilege but also recognition of what I have achieved in the sport.”

Jean-Noel Bioul, Co-Director Sponsoring at Rolex, said, “Gonzalo is the world’s No. 1 ranked polo player and this has been achieved by focus, dedication and a constant desire to improve. We are delighted that Gonzalo has joined the Rolex family and look forward to working with him over the coming years.”

26 year old Gonzalo Pieres Jr is the son of legendary polo player Gonzalo Pieres who won the Palermo Open with the Espadaña team on six occasions. Gonzalo has won major honours at the highest level of the game including, in the last 12 months, the Grand Slam Sotogrande Cup and Masters Series British Open and US Open, as well as the Argentine Open in 2008. He first played in the Argentine Open, arguably the finest polo tournament on the international stage in 1999, and has competed every year since. He is best known for playing for Ellerstina.

- END -

16th October 2009

A Podcast featuring Rolex Testimonee, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, has been created and is now available to download from iTunes at:

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=313208812

It is also available as an mp3 file at:

http://www.mixbroadcast.com/podcasts/rolex_podcast_002.mp3

This is a copyright free file and is available for use as a radio or website broadcast.

For further information please contact:

Rod Kohler  Tel: 0207 928 9999
Revolution  email: rod@revolutionpr.co.uk