In a three-year deal, Betfred has announced it is to be the new sponsor of the Oaks and the Derby at Epsom Downs.
The operator will also sponsor two other races over the two days of the Derby in June, however these are yet to be determined. Betfred notes that this is the first of a series of announcements regarding the partnership to be released in the forthcoming weeks.
Betfred has previously been involved in British racing as the sponsor of a number of racing events, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup from 2012 to 2015, as well as the Group One Sprint Cup at Haydock Park.
Betfred founder Fred Done said he was “immensely proud” to be sponsoring the races.
Done said that “for me, the Derby remains the greatest flat race in the world”.
“When you look at some of the horses and characters that have won this great race, Sea-Bird, Mill Reef, Nijinsky, Sir Gordon Richards, Lester Piggott and Frankie Dettori, it has an amazing history, and I am delighted to become a part of it for at least the next three years.”
“Betfred’s support of British racing over many years has been superb and we’re proud to be working with Fred Done and his team on its next chapter to promote these two iconic races on the first weekend in June,” added chief executive of the Jockey Club, Nevin Truesdale.
Amy Starkey, managing director for Jockey Club Racecourses, expressed her gratitude towards Betfred for its “generous support”.
“As a bookmaker with a long and established history in horseracing and numerous other sports, I’ve worked with Fred and the team at Betfred for more than 20 years and know how deeply committed they are to British racing.”