UK Horse Racing Supported By Internet Gambling

Rich prizes expected thanks to the latest key horse race sponsorships In accordance with a number of key online gambling operator and horse race sponsorship partnerships that took place recently, last week was no exception when three more were announced. First of all, online betting exchange Betfair has entered into a sponsorship deal with Sandown Park's "The Brigadier Gerard Stakes horseracing event" to be held on May 31. A total of GBP 185 000 to be won in prize money on that occasion actually features in two Group Three races: the Henry II Stakes and The Brigadier Gerard Stakes. “We are delighted that Betfair has agreed to sponsor The Brigadier Gerard Stakes meeting, our most prestigious evening meeting of the season and, indeed, in the country in terms of quality and prize money,” said David Mackinnon, managing director for Sandown Park, and Tony Calvin, Betfair head of media, concluded: "Betfair is proud to be sponsoring the best evening meeting of the year in terms of quality racing once again having supported the meeting from 2003 to 2008.” In addition, Rank Interactive's sports book Blue Square has made an agreement to sponsor the Winter Derby at Lingfield Park Racecourse. The all-weather Group 3 flat horse race takes place annually in March and carries a prize of GBP 100 000. The Winter Derby joins the Blue Square Winter Carnival and the Blue Square Sprint Series in Blue Square's horse race sponsorship deals. Richard Jaques, Blue Square public relations and sponsorship manager, commented: “The past week has underlined the importance of the all-weather tracks to British horse racing. We have invested heavily in all-weather racing over the past couple of years and the Blue Square Winter Derby is an excellent addition to our sponsorship portfolio." Also to be mentioned is that Ladbrokes has signed an additional three-year extension to its sponsorship of the St Leger, one of the oldest UK classic races, making it to a decade of backing the race up. The following race at Doncaster Racecourse in September will see substantial GBP 550 000 in prize money thanks to Ladbrokes sponsorship. Media affairs director for Ladbrokes Mike Dillon said: “We have worked closely with Arena Leisure and Doncaster to rebuild the reputation of this great race. The Ladbrokes St Leger now attracts top-quality horses and the race-going public has returned in their thousands." And managing director of Doncaster Racecourse Mark Spincer added: “We have a fantastic partnership with Ladbrokes and are extremely grateful for its long-term support at Doncaster Racecourse. This latest announcement shows its dedication to the St Leger Stakes and the St Leger Festival in which it has played a major part in enhancing and promoting over the past decade.”