Esh Group is taking over the sponsorship of one of the most prestigious races in the North East’s racing calendar, the Gosforth Park Cup. The 5 furlong sprint, worth £30,000 to the winner, is the feature race of the Friday evening fixture of Newcastle Racecourse’s Northumberland Plate Meeting – the highlight of the North East’s racing calendar – which this year will be held from Thursday 26th to Saturday 28th June. Up to 15,000 race goers are expected to attend on the Friday evening meeting and up to 50,000 will pack the racecourse over the weekend for the Plate Festival.

The famous race has been run at Newcastle since 1903 and for the last 22 years has been sponsored by Northern Rock. Brian Manning, Chief Executive of Esh Group, said:

‘We at Esh Group are very proud to have taken up the sponsorship of this important race. It is a landmark in both the racing and the social calendars. Esh Group is firmly rooted in the North East; our fundamental philosophy is to spend money in the region in support of our commercial and cultural activity. Our decision to sponsor the Gosforth Park Cup is a direct reflection of this strategy. ‘

It is, of course, sad in many ways that we have had the opportunity to do so, but we are pleased to be in a position to be able to ‘step up to the plate’.

’ Mike Elliott, Commercial Manager of Newcastle Racecourse, said:

‘Esh Group’s commitment is tremendous news for racing and for Newcastle Racecourse. We are delighted to have agreed this deal which gives Esh Group an option for a minimum of three years. The race will now be known as ‘Esh Group Gosforth Park Cup’. ‘This year is the 20th anniversary of the beautiful Gosforth Park Cup having been re-dedicated to this race in 1988.

The solid silver trophy weighs almost 10 ½ 1bs and stands 45cms high. It was originally presented to the company in 1951 by Lt. Col. Sir Alexander Leith Bt., MCDL according to an inscription. It’s a great piece of tradition and heritage and it’s very fitting that Esh Group with such long standing connections throughout the North East should be associated with it. We’re very much looking forward to the opportunity of working with them.’

In addition to sponsoring the Gosforth Park Cup, Esh Group also holds a charity day at the racecourse. This year ‘The Esh Charitable Trust Raceday’ will be held on Thursday evening 29th May. The Esh Charitable Trust was formed in 2005 and supports good causes throughout the North East connected with

• the environment

• developing skills and training in the young and the disadvantaged

• communities

More information is available at www.eshgroup.co.uk and www.eshcharitabletrust.org.uk .