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.
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Last year there was something of a fuss when this always informative 2yo listed race (commemorating a great US supporter of English racing) was renamed the Matalan Stakes. Newbury assured us that the sponsorship was here to stay, which is doubtless why today the race is called the Denford Stud Stakes.
If there’s a surer way to chip away at the prestige of our pattern races than this continual (and mendacious) chopping and changing, then I don’t know it.
Agreed.
Why not just incorporate the name – ‘The Denford Stud Washington Singer Stakes’ ?
Sponsors will inevitably come and go, but these old race names should be maintained.
Agreed.
Why not just incorporate the name – ‘The Denford Stud Washington Singer Stakes’ ?
Why? Because nobody would call it the "Denford Stud Washington Singer Stakes", all media would still refer to it as the "Washington Singer". Therefore sponsers do not get the full benifits (publicity) of sponsership.
Value Is EverythingSponsors will inevitably come and go, but these old race names should be maintained.
Not sure many racegoers and racing enthusiasts understand the relevance of Washington Singer. A man who died in 1934.
Wouldn’t this race be better called the Barry Hills or Sea The Stars?
Value Is Everything- Total Posts 17716
Not sure many racegoers and racing enthusiasts understand the relevance of Washington Singer. A man who died in 1934.
Wouldn’t this race be better called the Barry Hills or Sea The Stars?
Absolutely not! Everybody who cares about the pattern knows about the Washington Singer Stakes, because of its special conditions re. sires and breeding. Knowing who the man was, or what he did is not relevant.
If you start pandering to "relevance" by only naming races after horses, people and places that "joe public" has heard of within the last ten years, you’re going to lose the
St. Leger
(who he?), the
Derby
, the
Sceptre
, the
Ormonde
, the
John Porter
(OK, that already went!) and most other calender names.
For those who care,
Washington Singer
was an American-born, English plutocrat from the sewing machine dynasty, who ploughed much of his personal fortune into British Racing during the early part of the 20th century. I salute his memory! You can read about him here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Singer
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