Newton Abbot step in to back Gymcrack
Stephen Rea: announced deal
PICTURE: Steve NashNEWTON ABBOT racecourse is the surprise new sponsor of the Gymcrack at Hall Green, which will this year be run as a Category Two competition carrying a winner’s prize of £6,000.
Hall Green were left looking for a replacement sponsor after long-time backers Skybet pulled out at the start of this month – just three weeks before the heats of the puppy competition next Wednesday – and general manager Stephen Rea revealed: “We had a lot of interest when the Racing Post broke the story that Skybet had decided to pull out, but it was mostly people hoping to steal our slot for buttons.
“Fortunately, Newton Abbot then came along, and were sensible. It means we can offer a first prize of £6,000 and also have a new sponsor which should freshen things up significantly.
“They will take the spot over the traps too, advertise on the racecard and also use our 65,000-strong database to get their message across.
“Birmingham is a key catchment area for Newton Abbot, with people going there straight down the M5 through July and August. They’re particularly pleased the heats and semis are on Bags, so that gives a betting shop audience too.”
Pat Masterson, managing director of Newton Abbot, commented: “We read about the Gymcrack situation in the Racing Post and saw it as a really good opportunity for brand awareness as there’s a synergy between greyhound racing and National Hunt racing.”
Full story in Wednesday's Racing Post
