British Horseracing Industry Supported by Online Gambling Operators

Britain has seen growing support for its horseracing industry from key online gambling companies. Recent sponsorships and partnerships between racing tracks and online sportsbooks in United Kingdom prove that.

Renowned online sportsbook Betfair announced a deal with Sandown Park to sponsor its "The Brigadier Gerard Stakes horseracing event", which is to be held on May 31. The racing meet includes two Group Three races; the Henry II Stakes and The Brigadier Gerard Stakes races, with a GBP 185,000 prize pool.

Managing director for Sandown Park, David Mackinnon, told United Kingdom gambling news: “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.”

Tony Calvin, head of media for Betfair Sportsbook, had the following comments: “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.”

Blue Square, a Rank Interactive sportsbook, operating in full compliance with British gambling laws, will sponsor the Winter Derby at Lingfield Park Racecourse. The Group 3 flat horse race has a GBP 100,000 prize pool and is held annually in March. The Winter Derby is another horserace sponsored by Blue Square, alongside Winter Carnival and the Blue Square Sprint.

Richard Jaques, Blue Square public relations and sponsorship manager, told the media: “The past week has underlined the importance of the all-weather tracks to British horseracing. 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.”

Another sponsorship deal includes Ladbrokes agreement to extend its deal with St Leger to another three years. Ladbrokes sponsorship of the race at Doncaster Racecourse in September will offer GBP 550,000 in prize money up for grabs.

Mike Dillon, media affairs director for Ladbrokes, commented: “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."

Mark Spincer, managing director of Doncaster Racecourse, also commented the deal: ”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.”