15 October 2010
Mick Fitzgerald, winning jockey of both the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup and the John Smith’s Aintree Grand National, today officially opened the newly refurbished Golden Miller champagne bar at Cheltenham Racecourse, the culmination of a £900,000 investment in the bar and catering facilities made by Jockey Club Catering (JCC) at the course since October 2009.
Golden Miller is the only racehorse to have won both of the UK’s premier steeplechase races – the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National – in the same year, so it was fitting for Fitzgerald to open the bar’s first bottle of champagne on the opening day of the Racecourse’s Jump racing season.
JCC’s investment to upgrade the existing, and hugely popular, Golden Miller has transformed the previously enclosed bar into a modern, spacious and fresh looking environment.
Gareth Evans, General Manager for JCC at Cheltenham Racecourse, said: “The capital expenditure that we are investing into all the bars and restaurants at Cheltenham Racecourse, including the new permanent bar and catering facilities in the Best Mate enclosure, will help to enhance the raceday experience for all levels of racegoer.”
Evans added: “Achieving a good quality and high standard of catering has always been central to the aims of Jockey Club Catering. By placing the demands of customers first, we are helping to drive revenues for Jockey Club Racecourses. Key to this is improving the catering experience for racegoers and developing facilities.”
Cheltenham Racecourse is one of 14 racecourses within the Jockey Club Racecourses group. Following an innovative 10-year joint venture between JCR and Compass Group UK & Ireland to create Jockey Club Catering, these leading racecourses are benefitting from large-scale investment to improve and modernise racecourse catering facilties.
Commenting at the launch of the new champagne bar, Fitzgerald said: “Golden Miller is a legend in the sport and particularly here at Cheltenham having won the Gold Cup a record five consecutive times. It’s great to have such a smart new bar in his name and will be a big hit with the punters”.
Mick Fitzgerald, one of the most admired and popular jockeys of recent generations, also today launched his new book – The Cheltenham World of Jump Racing. With an illuminating foreword by Edward Gillespie, Managing Director of Cheltenham Racecourse, Fitzgerald invited us to enter his world and takes us through the pattern of the jumping year, its best races, chases, courses and horses.
Illustrated with spectacular pictures throughout, The Cheltenham World of Jump Racing conveys the unique passion and atmosphere of this golden sport.
-Ends-
Copyright free photographs of Mick Fitzgerald at the launch of the new bar are available for editorial use by clicking here
Photo 1 caption: l-r Cheltenham Racecourse’s Managing Director, Edward Gillespie and Mick Fitzgerald
Photo 2 caption: l-r Mick Fitzgerald and Cheltenham Racecourse’s Managing Director, Edward Gillespie
For further information please contact:
Rod Kohler Tel: 0207 928 9999
Revolution PR Mob: 07770 647 662
Sangeeta Suthar Tel: 01895 554364
Compass Group UK & Ireland Mob: 07876 217622
Notes for Editors:
About Jockey Club Racecourses
Jockey Club Racecourses is part of The Jockey Club. The Club’s trustee ownership ensures that the group’s profits are re-invested into racing. Jockey Club Racecourses comprises a diverse portfolio of 14 courses. Major events and races staged at Jockey Club Racecourses include the Cheltenham Festival, the John Smith’s Grand National as well as four of the five Classics, including the Derby.
Because of The Jockey Club’s unique experience and heritage and the strength of the Group today, Jockey Club Racecourses are able to successfully deliver competitive and best-of-class horse racing; maximising profit and re-investing in the future to ensure the long-term and sustainable success of the business.
About Compass Group UK & Ireland
Compass Group UK & Ireland has partnered with Jockey Club Racecourses to provide an unrivalled variety of food services at over 350 fixtures a year as well as hosting numerous events throughout the year across the Jockey Club Racecourses portfolio of 14 courses.
Compass Group UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group plc, the world’s leading foodservice company. We specialise in providing food, vending and related services on our clients’ premises and we generated annual revenues of over £13.4 billion in the year to 30 September 2009. The company operates across the following core sectors of Business & Industry, Defence, Offshore & Remote Site, Healthcare, Education, Sports & Leisure and Vending with an established brand portfolio.
For more information visit www.compass-group.co.uk
