THIS weekend will see the return of the legendary Hennessy Gold Cup - one of the most anticipated events in the British jump racing calendar and highlight of two days' top class racing at Newbury Racecourse on Friday and Saturday.

This year’s race is particularly significant as Hennessy celebrates its 60th year as headline sponsor to this extraordinary winter race day.

Last year’s coveted Hennessy Gold Cup trophy was presented to Alan King, trainer of the winning horse Smad Place, ridden by Wayne Hutchinson and owned by Mrs Peter Andrews.

Prolific previous winning horses of the prestigious trophy include Mandarin, Denman, Trabolgan, Bobs Worth, Carruthers and Many Clouds.

Each year, race goers and VIPs alike join Maurice Hennessy, 8th generation of the Hennessy family, for the running of the Hennessy Gold Cup.

Past Gold Cup guests have included: Jerry Hall, Rod Stewart, Rosamund Pike, Eddie Redmayne, Stanley Tucci, Felicity Blunt, Jasmine Guinness, Tinie Tempah, Elizabeth Hurley, Amanda Holden, James Purefoy, Celia Imrie, Rob Brydon, Jilly Cooper, James Norton, Jack Farthing, Antonia Thomas, Hugh Skinner, Barry Humphries, Richard Lintern, Natasha Rufus Isaacs, Ruby Wax, Claire Balding and Denise Lewis, amongst others.

Hennessy has partnered with British fashion brand Beulah London to create a limited edition commemorative winter season accessory for race day: a stylish and versatile silk scarf wearable for men and women in Beulah London’s signature blue and Hennessy’s horse print.

The delicate silk fabric has been hand block printed with a design which includes the number 60 and a six-line pattern, symbolising the six decades of the Hennessy Gold Cup.

This year’s Hennessy guests will have the chance to enjoy an array of bespoke Hennessy cocktails and serves – all created in celebration of this special year.

Since its inception in 1957, the event has had a long association with Hennessy which has continued to this day, making it the longest headline commercial sports sponsorship of its kind in the world.

For more information and to buy tickets to this year’s Hennessy Gold Cup, visit: www.newburyracecourse.co.uk

For more information about Hennessy and Beulah London’s limited edition scarf, go to: www.beulahlondon.com/shop/new-in/hennessy-gold-cup-silk-tie , on sale from 1st November, RRP: £60.

  • Footage courtesy of Channel 4 in association with Hennessy cognac. The 60th running of the Hennessy Gold Cup is live on Channel 4 on Saturday, 26th November. Race off at 3.10pm.