by
Chris Newbould
The Derby, one of the most prestigious events in the UK horseracing calendar, will be sponsored by a gambling company for the first time after Jockey Club Racecourses (JCR) agreed a three-year deal with Betfred.
North West-based Betfred operates 1,400 betting shops nationwide, in addition to an online betting and gaming business. It will also take on sponsorship of the Oaks, the feature event on the opening afternoon of June’s two-day Derby Festival in Epsom, as part of the deal.
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JCR had been looking for a sponsor for the Epsom Classics since Cazoo, the embattled used-car sales platform, said last August it was ending its association with the Derby and Oaks after two years as part of wider cost cutting plans that also saw Cazoo end its sponsorship of Everton FC.
JCR had reportedly been keen to secure non-gambling sponsors for its showpiece Derby and Grand National events, but it appears to have conceded defeat as Betfred adds to an existing sponsorhip portfolio that includes high profile events across rugby, football, golf and darts to name a few.
This year’s Derby will be the 244th running of a race that has spawned many similar contests around the world since it was first staged in 1780. With a prize fund of £1.5m, it will be the UK’s most valuable race.
