QIPCO British Champions Day 2012 Media Guide - Ascot Racecourse

Fantasy Game Launched
QIPCO British Champions Series, the Daily Telegraph and Racing Post launched a brand new,
free-to-enter fantasy game in April, with players having the opportunity to score points across all
35 races in the 2012 Series, starting with the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday
5 May.
It has provided over 20,000 people who entered, many of whom are general sports fans, with an
interest in the elite level of Flat racing throughout the season. In particular it has engaged many
fantasy football players into the QIPCO British Champions Series.
After selecting a stable of five trainers and five jockeys at the outset, players then select two
horses per race during the Series to augment their points-scoring potential. They also got to
choose their own stable name and create their own stable colours.
The overall prize is a VIP day for four at a 2013 QIPCO British Champions Series raceday and a
framed set of their stable silks, signed by Frankie Dettori, who fronted an advertising campaign
with trainer Brian Meehan to promote the game.
There were also prizes for different segments of the Series and for the highest points scorer in
each of the five Series categories – Sprint, Mile, Middle Distance, Long Distance and Fillies &
Mares.
Particularly popular have been the private and public leagues which form a key part of the
competition. Groups of friends and work colleagues can play against each other for bragging
rights in their own leagues, perhaps competing for the prestigious ‘office champion’ title, at the
same time as taking part in the overall competition. They are also able to see how they are
faring against Frankie Dettori, who has his own public league, and other racing professionals.
QIPCO British Champions Series Chief Executive, Rod Street, said back in April: “We see this
new game as a great way to heighten interest in the very best of British Flat racing, which is
precisely why the QIPCO British Champions Series itself was launched last year.
“We are lucky enough to have the best horses in the world competing in this country and now
there’s an exciting, free-to-enter competition which we hope will generate increased excitement
for racing fans as well as enticing general sports enthusiasts to get involved.”
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