Taunton Racecourse is delighted to announce that BARBER’S 1833 will be sponsoring the newly resurrected Portman Cup Handicap Steeple Chase on Tuesday 9 February 2027.
The race, last run as a conditions race back in 2022, will now be run as a 0-150 handicap over 3 miles 4 furlongs 85 yards with a Prize Fund of £40,000. With its new race conditions and date in the national programme, it is likely to be a popular stepping-stone for potential Aintree Grand National candidates.
BARBER’S 1833 is an award-winning Somerset cheese-making company that has been making cheddar cheese for longer than anyone else worldwide. It is owned by local businessmen Giles and Chris Barber, who are also prominent racehorse owners with leading trainer Paul Nicholls. Their late father Paul Barber was also heavily invested in racehorse ownership with champions Denman, See More Business, Clan des Obeaux and Rock on Ruby carrying his famous two-tone green and white silks to Grade 1 success on the biggest jump stages in the country.
Patrick Davis, Taunton Racecourse’s Chief Executive, said “we are hugely grateful to the Barber family for their generous support of the Portman Cup in its new format. We see it as the perfect fit given their business profile and links to horseracing, the county of Somerset and Taunton Racecourse itself. Taunton is the only jumps meeting in the country on 9 February next year, so we anticipate significant public and betting interest in the race”
Last season's leading Novice Hurdler No Drama This End - owned by Chris and Giles Barber and the McNeill Family and trained by Paul Nicholls. The handsome grey has won 5 of his 7 races under rules including the Grade 1 Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury and has an exciting future over fences this coming season.