Neptune announce Goodwood deal

Neptune Investment Management are to sponsor the Gordon Stakes from 2013 as part of a new 'Road to the St Leger'.

The Group Three race, run at the Glorious Goodwood meeting, provided the winner of the Ladbrokes St Leger this year in Encke.

The Godolphin-owned colt was a close second to Noble Mission in the Gordon, while the third home, Michelangelo, also finished in the same position in the Doncaster Classic.

The Gordon Stakes produced four other St Leger winners this century in Arctic Cosmos (2010), Conduit (2008), Sixties Icon (2006) and Millenary (2000).

The new sponsorship will boost the prize money next year by 25% to £75,000.

The initiative involves, at present, three Neptune Investment Management-sponsored races, the Gordon Stakes and two races at York including the Great Voltigeur Stakes, another recognised St Leger trial.

Geffen said: "Neptune Investment Management is delighted to be working with another of the world's leading Flat racecourses during a festival as significant as 'Glorious'.

"The British racing programme is unique, as are its array of racecourses, and the trials in the build-up to the St Leger, the final Classic race of the year and often contested by both colts and fillies, continue to gain popularity with both the horsemen and racing public alike."

Mike Dillon, of Leger sponsors Ladbrokes, said: "We will be fully supportive of the 'Road to the St Leger' initiative involving the two Neptune Investment Management-sponsored Group-class St Leger trials."