The UK gambling company Betfred has been announced as the new sponsor for the St Leger Festival following a multiyear agreement between the firm’s operator and the firm.
Betfred has a new agreement with Arena Racing Company, which will see them sponsoring three of five British Classics. They will also be joining William Hill and Ladbrokes in sponsoring Britain’s oldest Classic that dates back to 1776.
Betfred founder Fred Done said that sponsoring St Leger Festival is more than a business opportunity for his company. It is a priviledge. He is “proud” to be associated with this world’s oldest Classic, which is synonymous with horses such as Triple Crown winner Nijinsky and Dunfermline, for Queen Elizabeth II, and Oh So Sharp, for Sir Henry Cecil.
The deal between ARC and Betfred stipulates that Betfred will sponsor a number of major races, including the Doncaster Cup, Champagne Stakes and the Doncaster Cup. ARC’s Chief Executive Officer Martin cruddace welcomed the company as the main sponsor of St Leger Festival.
Fred Done, his team and their sponsors have been long-time supporters of British racing. The inclusion of this historic race into their sponsorship portfolio shows their commitment to sport.
Martin Cruddace is the CEO of ARC
Betfred has replaced Cazoo as the sponsor for the last two St Leger festivals. This is the final British Classic race of the season, and it will be held from September 14-17. Qipco will sponsor the first two Classics at Newmarket, which are the 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas.
The new sponsorship came less than one month after Betfred became, the sponsor of The Oaks at Epsom Downs. This was following a three-year agreement with the Jockey Club, another major racecourse owner in Britain.
Beftred will be able to expand its presence in British horse racing for the next three-years. The brand, which was once one of the most prominent sponsors in Britain, can now accelerate their return to the top sponsorship spot in the sport.
Betfred was previously associated with the sponsorship of the Ebor handicap, Cambridgeshire handicap, and Cesarewitch handicaps as well as the jewel in the crown for the UK, the Cheltenham Gold Cup. However, Betfred stepped back when Tote’s exclusive license to offer pool betting on racecourses that Betfred had acquired in 2011 expired in 2018.
