Betfred Re-Sponsors 2023 Derby & St Leger Classics

Betfred is shaking things up in the horse racing world by diving back into race sponsorships, a fantastic boost for the sport.

Betfred Back in 2017, Betfred rolled back on race sponsorships and closed nearly all their racecourse betting shops, sparing only Ascot.

Yet, there were a few notable exceptions. Chelmsford racecourse (owned by Betfred) and Ascot racecourse Certain races continued to benefit from sponsorship deals.

The initial exit cost the UK racing industry a whopping £6 million in sponsorships, considering Betfred backed nearly a thousand races in 2016.

That’s roughly 10% of the 10,035 races planned in the UK that year.

Despite the setback, Betfred continued supporting the industry by paying the levy on eligible bets and maintaining their sizable network of betting shops.

Derby & St Leger

While the Grand National Among flat races in the UK, the Derby stands out as the most prestigious, captivating both ardent horse racing fans and the general public.

It's heralded as a televised spectacle, ensuring a sizable audience even before additional hype comes into play.

Recently, Fred Done, the brain behind Betfred, revealed that the company will once again sponsor the most prominent flat race, having sponsored prestigious races over jumps such as Cheltenham's Gold Cup and esteemed flat races like The Sprint Cup at Haydock.

Alongside the Derby, Betfred will also sponsor the fillies' equivalent, the Oaks, scheduled before the Derby, marking their renewed investment in horse race sponsorship. sponsoring the St Leger This move could reestablish Betfred as a driving force in race sponsorship.

Bookmakers Sponsoring Races

Race sponsorship dynamics have been a hot topic recently, with debates on whether bookmakers should be allowed to sponsor events.

The argument against bookmakers' involvement seems irrational, considering their significant contributions via levies and race funding.

Betfred's sponsorship spans top-tier events like the Derby to grassroots levels, where racecourse bookmakers often contribute to prize funds.

Betfred Sponsorships 

While Betfred has reduced its involvement in horse racing, it actively sponsors other sports, such as boxing, rugby league, and darts.

They’ve been the key sponsor of the rugby league’s Super League since 2016, perfectly reflecting their roots in Warrington's rugby heartland.

Their reach extends beyond the UK, having sponsored RCD Mallorca's shirts from 2019 to 2021 and currently backing the Professional Darts Corporation’s World Matchplay tournament.

General Race Sponsorships 

Interestingly, many sponsors have strong personal or professional ties to racing.

Take Vertem Asset Management, for example, which sponsors the Vertem Futurity Trophy, with owner John Dance having a significant footprint in the sport.

Entities like Ultima and Randox, alongside numerous Middle Eastern investment groups, are deeply intertwined with racing.

The Future

Given its massive appeal, football frequently makes headlines, intertwining with gambling firm sponsorship debates.

A large number of football teams have sponsorship deals with overseas betting firms, though there is mounting pressure to sever these ties.

This change might drive domestic companies in the UK, Ireland, and Europe to channel their sponsorship interests towards horse racing.