Betfred has become the first ever sponsor of all 5 “Classics.”
The Warrington-based bookmaker has today added Newmarket’s 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas, in addition to the Betfred Oaks and Betfred Derby at Epsom Downs and Doncaster’s Betfred St Leger.
“Nobody has ever sponsored all 5 British Classics and I am so proud to be the first. I am honoured as a bookmaker to be supporting the sport that I love,” said Betfred Boss Fred Done.
“I want to put the British Classics back where they belong, at the forefront of global horseracing.”
Done added that he would be offering £2m to any horse who wins the Betfred Triple Crown – the Betfred 2000 Guineas, Betfred Derby and Betfred St Leger – something which hasn’t been done since 1970.
“It’s a great incentive that Betfred have put up a £2m bonus for any horse that wins the Triple Crown. We all at Ballydoyle and Coolmore greatly appreciate all their sponsorship throughout the season and this bonus will make the Classic races even more exciting,” stated Aidan O’Brien, who has won the 2000 Guineas a record 10 times.
“It takes a very unique horse to go through all the Triple Crown races – they have got to have quality, class, speed, stamina and mental strength.”
Betfred was founded by Fred Done in 1967, initially as a single shop in Salford. It is now the largest independent bookmaker on the UK’s high street, with 1350 stores and is still owned by the Done family.
“We love working with Fred and all his team so we are absolutely thrilled that Betfred have become the new sponsors of the two iconic Classics staged on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile, the 2000 and 1000 Guineas,” added Amy Starkey, Managing Director of The Jockey Club.
“We have already seen how Betfred’s tremendous enthusiasm and dynamism has elevated the Derby and Oaks at Epsom Downs and their passion for racing is fantastic for the sport. The offer of this huge bonus for the Triple Crown is another superb initiative and we’re already really excited about how we can promote these iconic British Classic races in 2025.”
Last year the Culture, Media and Sport Committee said sports governing bodies should “commit to cutting the volume of gambling adverts in stadiums” however, horse racing and greyhound racing was exempt – “given their close and long-standing relationships with betting.”
