REG - Oakley Capital Inv. - Oakley Capital invests in Athena Racing

Oakley Capital InvestmentsAnnouncement

23/12/2025 07:00

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RNS Number : 5593M  Oakley Capital Investments Limited  23 December 2025

23 December 2025

Oakley Capital Investments Limited

Oakley Capital Investments Limited(1) ("OCI") is pleased to announce that
Oakley Capital Origin Fund II(2) ("Origin II") is investing in Athena Racing
("Athena"), the world-class sailing franchise founded and led by Sir Ben
Ainslie, the most successful sailor in Olympic history.

OCI's indirect contribution via Origin II is anticipated to be up to c.£13
million once fully funded, which relates to OCI's share of Oakley's investment
in Athena.

Further details on the transaction can be found in the below announcement from
Oakley Capital(3).

Oakley Capital invests in Sir Ben Ainslie's Athena Racing

Oakley Capital, a leading pan-European private equity investor, is pleased to
announce that Oakley Capital Origin II ("Origin II") is investing in Athena
Racing ("Athena"), the British America's Cup team and world-class sailing
franchise founded and led by Sir Ben Ainslie, the most successful sailor in
Olympic history.

Oakley's investment follows the creation of the landmark America's Cup
Partnership (the "Partnership") which will govern the America's Cup. The
Partnership is expected to enhance the commercial appeal and investability of
the world's most prestigious high-performance sailing competition. Oakley
played a central role in shaping this new framework, under which the five
founding teams, including Athena, will sit in an equal partnership position.

The America's Cup combines heritage with advanced technology, elite sport, and
strong commercial appeal. First contested with a race around the Isle of Wight
in 1851, the Cup is widely recognised as the oldest international trophy in
world sport, predating the modern Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup. The
contest stands as one of sport's most demanding technical challenges, with
only four nations- New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Switzerland-
lifting the trophy across its 174-year history.

The new Partnership marks a major step forward, pairing the Cup's legacy with
a more modern and commercially focused structure. It gives all teams board
representation, establishes neutral, professional management to drive audience
and revenue growth, introduces cost-control measures to create a more
competitive field, and sets a stable biennial calendar to support long-term
investment, positioning the Cup as a leading, global sports property.

Oakley's investment in Athena reflects its strong belief in the enduring
appeal and growth potential of premium sports properties. The new partnership
enables Athena to pursue a multi-cycle strategy across future America's Cup
contests, with longer-term sponsorship deals, R&D investment, and talent
acquisition. Oakley will support Athena Racing by accelerating commercial
partnerships, expanding brand visibility, and scaling operations.

In addition, Athena Racing and sister company Emirates GBR, representing
Britain in the fast-growing SailGP league, a separate nation vs. nation global
sailing competition, will collaborate to create a unique proposition for
sponsors and sailors in elite competitive sailing.

Peter Dubens, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Oakley Capital, said: "The
America's Cup is the pinnacle of sailing and an icon of sport, won by only
four nations since 1851. We're partnering with Sir Ben and the Athena team
precisely as the Cup enters a new era. With strong governance and a neutral
management team focused on audience and media growth, the competition is set
to broaden its appeal, improve accessibility and ensure long-term
sustainability."

Sir Ben Ainslie, Founder & Team Principal, Athena Racing, said: "I'd like
to pay credit to Oakley for the critical role they have played in helping
Athena and the other teams to shape this new partnership for the America's
Cup. Previously a Defender-led, winner-takes-all format, the Cup now moves
into a unified chapter that gives every team a seat at the table and a shared
focus on commercial growth and continued technical innovation. With Oakley's
backing and expertise, and by drawing on the next generation of sailors with
our Athena Pathway programme, Athena is well-positioned to help grow the Cup
into one of the world's most iconic and commercially successful sporting
properties."

 

- ends -

 

For further information please contact:

 

Oakley Capital Limited

+44 20 7766 6900

Steven Tredget

 

Greenbrook

+44 20 7952 2000

Rob White / Michael Russell / Theo Bryan

 

Deutsche Numis (Financial Adviser & Broker)

+44 20 7260 1000

Nathan Brown / Matt Goss

 

(1) About Oakley Capital Investments Limited ("OCI")

OCI is a closed-ended investment fund trading on the main market of the London
Stock Exchange as an Official List Company. OCI aims to provide shareholders
with consistent long-term capital growth in excess of the FTSE All-Share Index
by providing liquid access to private equity returns through investment in the
Oakley Funds.

A video introduction to OCI is available
at https://oakleycapitalinvestments.com/videos/
(https://oakleycapitalinvestments.com/videos/)

The contents of the OCI website are not incorporated into, and do not form
part of, this announcement.

(2) The Oakley Funds

Oakley Capital Private Equity II, Oakley Capital Private Equity III, Oakley
Capital IV, Oakley Capital V, Oakley Capital VI, Oakley Capital Origin and
Oakley Capital Origin II are unlisted lower-mid to mid-market private equity
funds that aim to provide investors with significant long-term capital
appreciation. The investment strategy of the Funds is to focus on buy-out
opportunities in industries with the potential for growth, consolidation and
performance improvement. The Oakley family of funds also includes Oakley
PROfounders Fund III and Oakley Touring Venture Fund, which are venture
capital funds focused on investments in entrepreneur-led, disruptive,
technology led companies.

(3) Oakley Capital, the Investment Adviser

Founded in 2002, Oakley Capital Limited has demonstrated the repeated ability
to source attractive growth assets at attractive prices. To do this it relies
on its sector and regional expertise, its ability to tackle transaction
complexity and its deal generating entrepreneur network.

Important information

Oakley Capital Investments has now been admitted to the Official List of the
Financial Conduct Authority. Therefore, the Company is now required to satisfy
the eligibility criteria for admission to listing on the Official List is
required to comply with the Financial Conduct Authority's Listing Rules,
including in relation to transactions with related parties, financial
reporting, contents of shareholder circulars and other continuing obligations.

This announcement may include "forward-looking statements". These
forward-looking statements are statements regarding the Company's objectives,
intentions, beliefs or current expectations with respect to, amongst other
things, the Company's financial position, business strategy, results of
operations, liquidity, prospects and growth. Forward-looking statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on
circumstances that may or may not occur in the future.  Accordingly the
Company's actual future financial results, operational performance and
achievements may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the
statements. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not
to place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak
only as at the date of this announcement. The Company expressly disclaims any
obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements
contained herein to reflect actual results or any change in the Company's
expectations with regard to them or any change in events, conditions or
circumstances on which any such statements are based unless required to do so
by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, the Listing Rules or
Prospectus Regulation Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority or other
applicable laws, regulations or rules.

 

 

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