York, 02 March 2026: Trustmarque Ultima, the newly merged technology powerhouse formed through the combination of Trustmarque Group and Ultima Business Solutions, is proud to announce its expansion of the existing commitment to sponsor the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, until 2027.
Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone as the race, known previously as the Ultima Handicap Chase, has now officially been renamed as the Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase.
The race has established itself as a key event during Festival week (10-13 March), drawing elite competitors and dedicated racing enthusiasts. Now entering its eleventh year, Trustmarque and Ultima are pleased to mark the beginning of a new chapter in the racing tradition.
Presenting the award on the day to the winner, Simon Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Trustmarque Ultima commented “Supporting a race that epitomises resilience, skill, and competitive spirit closely aligns with our collective values. Our newly merged organisation is built upon the dedication, expertise, and innovative spirit of our teams, the invaluable collaboration of our partners, and the enduring trust of our customers. I'm grateful to Max and everyone who has been part of Cheltenham so far, and for their energy and commitment as we race ahead together in 2026 and beyond.”
Ultima’s long-standing association with the Cheltenham Festival reflects its commitment to performance excellence, supporting the equestrian community, and championing one of the most iconic events in the racing calendar.
Max McNeill, Ultima’s founder and racehorse owner, shared: “Hitting ten years of sponsorship was a fantastic moment for us, it really showed how much our team cares about this race and the whole Cheltenham Festival. Now that Trustmarque Ultima are one, our support for Cheltenham and the equestrian world is only getting stronger.”
About the Trustmarque Ultima Merger
Trustmarque Group and Ultima Business Solutions formally completed their merger in 2025, creating a leading UK technology services organisation with more than 1,000 employees, over 3,000 customers, and a combined Gross Invoiced Income targeting £1bn annually.
The unified business brings together Trustmarque’s strong Microsoft and Cisco heritage with Ultima’s automation-led managed services and AI-driven innovation, creating a comprehensive, expert-led portfolio designed to help organisations unlock greater agility, resilience, and value.
Why “Racing Ahead Together”
“Racing Ahead Together” takes our merger message of “Stronger Together” and pushes it into the future, showing the energy we share now that Trustmarque and Ultima enter a new partnership with the Jockey Club.
During the festival, where speed, accuracy, and exceptional performance are front and centre, “Racing Ahead Together” embodies what we strive for for our clients.
This tagline brings together:
- Togetherness: highlighting the teamwork and strong relationships across our people and customers.
- Progress and ambition: reflecting how we’re moving forward as a unified organisation.
- Event heritage: sparking joy and excitement with the spirit of racing.
About Cheltenham Festival
The race is a long-distance handicap chase run as the third race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival. It is the first of five handicap chases at the festival. Winners of the race often take part in the Grand National - those who have achieved victory in both events include Royal Tan, Team Spirit, West Tip, Seagram, Rough Quest and Corach Rambler.
About Trustmarque Ultima
Trustmarque Ultima is a leading provider of modern IT services, combining nearly four decades of industry expertise across cloud, security, digital workspace, managed services, and AI-driven innovation. With operations across the UK and international locations, the company supports both public and private sector organisations in simplifying complexity, accelerating transformation, and delivering exceptional outcomes.
Learn more at: www.ultima.com and www.trustmarque.com