Ascot Racecourse, together with Allied Irish Bank (GB), today announces that the Bank has signed a 2.9 Million Pound agreement over five years to become the first Founding Partner of the new Ascot Racecourse.

The Founding Partners scheme has been introduced as a new opportunity for major organisations with compatible and complementary international profiles to gain a close association with Ascot.

Under the terms of the agreement, Allied Irish Bank (GB) will partner with Ascot until and including the 2010 Royal Meeting. Allied Irish Bank (GB) will receive Founding Partner privileges throughout the year, including during the Royal Meeting. These privileges will range from signage rights around the Racecourse to exclusive hospitality benefits.

Ascot Racecourse has been closed since September 2004 to undergo a 200 Million Pound redevelopment that will see it reopen as one of the world's leading sports and entertainment venues on 27th May 2006, three weeks in advance of next year's Royal Meeting.

Ascot expects to announce agreements with further Founding Partners and other sponsors in the coming months. The Royal Meeting as a whole and individual races at Royal Ascot will remain unsponsored.

Douglas Erskine-Crum, Chief Executive of Ascot Racecourse said: "We are delighted to welcome Allied Irish Bank (GB) as our first Founding Partner at a very important time in the development of the Racecourse as a truly spectacular international venue. Ascot has a longstanding relationship with Allied Irish Bank (GB), who understand the racing world very well, and we look forward to working with them for many years to come."

Robbie Henneberry, Managing Director of Allied Irish Bank (GB) said: "Allied Irish Bank (GB) has a strong affiliation with racing in the UK and a long standing relationship with Ascot Racecourse in particular. We are therefore delighted to be partnering with Ascot in what is a significant sponsorship deal for the Bank and for Ascot. It reinforces our commitment to the racing industry and its connections who are key audiences for us. To be the first Founding Partner supporting the forefront of racecourse facilities at this level is tremendous."

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