Online sports betting firm signs major racing sponsorships

Champion Chase sponsor Betway has inked a series of major British racing partnerships as the online sportsbook and gaming company continues its investment in the sport.

Starting with the traditional Flat season curtain-raiser, the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster on 28th March, Betway is also lending its name to the Chester Cup at the course’s popular Boodles Meeting between 6th-8th May.

The firm is then sponsoring two high profile races at York, the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup at York’s Dante Festival (13th-15th May) and the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes on 19th August during the Welcome to Yorkshire, Ebor Festival.

Betway, which put pen to paper on a deal last October to take over sponsorship of the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham for at least three years, will also back supporting races at all four of those race meetings.

The company has already embarked on a number of other National Hunt racing sponsorships in recent weeks. Saturday’s Welsh Champion Hurdle and the supporting card at Ffos Las will be backed by Betway. The first race officially run under the Betway banner will be the 12.55pm Betway Novices’ Hurdle, a race subsequent Betway Champion Chase winner Sprinter Sacre took in 2011 when it was first run.

Betway is also sponsoring Chepstow’s Winter Beer Festival Raceday on 21st February and their Irish Raceday on 7th March. In addition they have taken a race on Newbury’s popular Greatwood Charity Raceday on 28th February.

In total, Betway-sponsored races in 2015 will provide over GBP 1 million in prize money – with a commitment to more as further opportunities arise.

Betway’s Alan Alger said: “Betway wanted to continue investing heavily in UK racing after taking over the Champion Chase and we’re thrilled to be visiting some of the country’s finest courses over the season for a number of the calendar’s most historic contests.

“We won’t stop there and are in the process of adding other races to our portfolio.”