New sponsorship for Betfair

British internet gambling company Betfair has signed a sponsorship agreement for Newbury’s big National Hunt meeting in February, an event featuring Europe’s richest handicap hurdle with prize money boosted to GBP 152,500.

The race, formerly known as the Totesport Trophy, will be run as the Betfair Hurdle, as part of a minimum three-year deal.

The supporting card on Saturday, February 11 includes the Betfair Denman Chase.

Betfair has additionally announced that it will sponsor RTÉ’s coverage of horse racing throughout 2012.

RTÉ televises 23 days of racing a year within Ireland, featuring the major festivals, including Punchestown and Leopardstown. It also shows events such as Cheltenham and the Royal Ascot.

“Betfair is delighted to join forces with RTÉ Sport in sponsoring their cross media racing coverage,” said Barry Orr, a Betfair spokesman. “As long time supporters of Irish racing, it is important for us that this key investment will also help secure the ongoing coverage of the sport across RTÉ.”

Dermot Rigley, cross media manager, RTÉ Sport commented: “Irish racing remains on terrestrial free-to-air television and Betfair has secured a powerful association with Irish racing across all of RTÉ’s market-leading platforms.

“This partnership is a great endorsement of RTÉ Sport’s output and its powerful audience reach and we’re delighted to welcome Betfair on board.”