Laurens owner John Dance takes over Doncaster Group 1 race backing

The final British Group 1 of the year will next month be run as the Vertem Futurity Trophy after leading owner John Dance's organisation was announced as successor to the Racing Post.

Under the Racing Post Trophy title the contest underlined its status as a major Classic trial through winners such as High Chaparral, Motivator, Authorized and Camelot, all of whom went on to secure Derby success at Epsom.

The historic event was as strong as ever last year when subsequent 2,000 Guineas hero Saxon Warrior defeated Roaring Lion, who now bids for Qipco Irish Champion Stakes glory having already landed the Coral-Eclipse and Juddmonte International.

Racing Post chief executive Alan Byrne with Aidan O'Brien on the victory podium after Saxon Warrior's 2017 Racing Post Trophy triumphCredit: Edward Whitaker

Newcastle-based stockbroker Vertem Asset Management was founded by Dance, who has enjoyed a stellar 2018 on the track thanks to his multiple Group 1-winning filly Laurens.

Racing Post chief executive Alan Byrne said: "We are very happy to see John Dance and Vertem Asset Management take over what has been a great sponsorship for us for 30 years. We wish John and his team every success with the race.

"Clearly, there has been considerable change over the period of our sponsorship. The race is now run a week after Champions Day, which, for all that it has been a fantastic innovation for British racing, means that the Racing Post Trophy is no longer part of the official Flat season.

"It is, however, still a proving ground for the very best horses and we hope that will continue to be the case under the Vertem banner."

John Dance (left) with Racing Post writer James Thomas

Under Vertem's backing the race will regain the Futurity handle it held when sponsored by William Hill prior to the Racing Post taking over. Its latest running will take place on October 27, when ITV4 also covers Newbury and Cheltenham, which was the channel's principal meeting last year.

Dance said: "We believe this sponsorship will deliver a high-quality, long-term relationship with Doncaster and we look forward to a very exciting future working with them."

David Leyden Dunbar, director of partnerships for Arena Racing Company, described himself as "delighted" to welcome Vertem, and added: "Our thanks must go, of course, to the Racing Post, who have been tremendous supporters of the race for nearly 30 years. Their impact in helping to build the race into the position it is in today has been massive, for which we are hugely grateful."

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