Credit Swap, a racehorse owned by Europe’s largest online golf travel retailer, Your Golf Travel.com, galloped to an emphatic victory for the golf industry when he swept late to win the prestigious Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket on Saturday.
Following a hat-trick of wins at Newbury, Ascot and Newmarket last season, Credit Swap produced the run of its life to land the £100,000 prize for his dynamic duo of owners, both of whom were unable to witness events first-hand on the day. Business commitments hosting a number of clients at Celtic Manor for the Ryder Cup forced managing director Andrew Harding to miss the race. His business partner, Ross Marshall (an ex swaps trader), was also absent as he was performing best man duties for an old friend at a wedding in Dorset and had to listen to the commentary on his phone outside the church as confetti was being thrown over the bride and groom.
The rise of Credit Swap – who was bought two years ago on the recommendation of Francesca Cumani – at a bargain basement price of 7,000 guineas – is almost as remarkable as the journey of its owners who, having started the business on two maxed-out credit cards in 2005, now oversee the largest golf travel business in Europe with a 2010 turnover forecast over £25m. The horse was purchased to promote the company’s golfing holidays to racings’
demographic.
Speaking from Celtic Manor on Monday, Marshall was ecstatic: “We have a deep-rooted passion for golf and racing and this weekend was the stage of two amazing victories. Credit swap had run 3 times in 6 days and I was delighted to see the European team show as much heart and determination as him to bring the Samuel Ryder trophy back home. There were a plenty of happy golfers dancing around on Saturday as well as today and it wasn’t just for the golf. The horse won by a length and Europe by a point. It’s a dream come true!”
The timing of the win is apt, given that the company has recently launched a new golf and racing product. FairwaytoFurlong.com offers consumers the opportunity to combine championship golf at a number of prestigious venues with racing afternoons or evenings at some of the world’s highest-profile race meetings.
A prime example is the Cheltenham Festival Centenary Race Day, taking place in March 2011, which encompasses golf at the Ryder Cup venue – Celtic Manor – one night’s accommodation, dinner, a Cheltenham preview with a host of experts including jockey Mick Fitzgerald, and tickets for the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday 15th March. Packages are available from
£299 per person.
For more information, contact David Addison on 0207 3365385, email davida@yourgolftravel.com or visit www.fairwaytofurlong.com or www.yourgolftravel.com.
