The Epsom Derby, one of UK horse racing’s prominent events, has extended and expanded its deal with sports betting firm Betfred. The deal includes full naming rights for both days of the festival, and the total number of races sponsored will be increased to six across the two days. The original three-year deal announced last year extended by a further 12 months.
This means that the Derby will be sponsored by Betfred until 2026 and the bookmaker promises to back more races across Epsom’s two-day festival.
Last April, Betfred partnered with Epsom’s owner the Jockey Club, and took on naming rights for the Oaks and Derby. Their new deal implies that the meeting will be called the Betfred Derby Festival with a total of six races sponsored.The original deal in which they took over from car retailer Cazoo as backers of the two Classic races was set to last until 2025.
Betfred has sponsored prominent races including Cheltenham Gold Cup, Ebor, Cesarewitch and Cambridgeshire.
Fred Done, the owner of Betfred, said: “Following on from a memorable two days at Epsom last year we are delighted to further develop our support of the Betfred Derby Festival and we very much look forward to working with Amy and her team to keep the fixture at the forefront of world racing.”
Amy Starkey, Managing Director for the east region at Jockey Club Racecourses, which owns Epsom Racecourse, said: “Our relationship with Betfred spans many years and many major races, and we are delighted to be strengthening our partnership at Epsom Downs still further following a brilliant first running of the Betfred Derby in 2023.”
“Betfred’s support of British racing over many years is clear for all to see and we can’t wait to get cracking with Fred and his team as we look to promote the greatest flat rate in the world in 2024 and beyond.”
Late last year Betfred also extended and expanded its deal with Rugby League Commercial (RLC), the body that controls the media, marketing, and events rights for the Rugby Football League and its Super League competition.
