QTS take the reins as Gold Cup’s new backer
One of the UK’s leading rail contractors has been unveiled as the new sponsor of Scotland’s most famous and prestigious Flat race – the Ayr Gold Cup.
The QTS Group will take over branding of the showpiece event, run on Saturday, September 19 on the third and final day of the Ayr Gold Cup Festival.
And the newly branded QTS Ayr Gold Cup will be screened live on the main ITV channel, which is another huge boost for the race.
Since ITV Racing took over coverage of racing in Britain in 2017 the Gold Cup coverage has been aired on ITV4 and the switch to the main channel means the coverage will reach a vastly bigger audience.
In 2019 the Coral Scottish Grand National was seen by a record 1.2 million viewers which shows the potential for a similar television audience for the Gold Cup.
QTS was founded by MD Alan McLeish in 1990 and provides a vast range of engineering infrastructure and specialist services to major organisations across the rail, utilities, construction and public services.
The company has a long association with Ayr Racecourse dating back to 2012 and from 2013 – 2018 sponsored Scotland’s richest hurdle race, the Scottish Champion Hurdle and also Ayr Ladies Night, one of the most glamorous occasions in Scottish racing.
David Brown, Managing Director of Ayr Racecourse, said: “I am thrilled to welcome QTS as the new sponsor of the Ayr Gold Cup, one of the truly great sprint races in the racing calendar.
“Over the years we have had a strong relationship with the QTS Group and it’s fitting that they are now supporting what is Scotland’s most famous Flat race.
“In these trying times sponsors are more important to our sport than ever and everyone at Ayr Racecourse is delighted to have Alan McLeish and the QTS team on board for the latest chapter in the proud history of the Ayr Gold Cup.”
Mr McLeish added: “To be able to take on the sponsorship of the QTS Ayr Gold Cup is something we are very excited about.
“As a UK business, the opportunity to have our brand visible across the nation on ITV1 was something we couldn’t turn down.
“The QTS Ayr Gold Cup will truly be the pinnacle of our relationship with the racecourse and we look forward to working with them closely in the run up to the event.”
The Ayr Gold Cup was first run in 1804 and is one of the most famous sprint handicaps in Europe with up to 25 horses competing over six furlongs on Ayr’s famous home straight.
Winners over the years include some equine legends including Brando in 2016, Don’t Touch in 2015 and further back in history Lochsong, Roman Warrior and Be Friendly.