The online gambling operator, who had no previous connection to the sport before announcing in October that they would be sponsoring the two-mile championship race, have added the Lincoln, Chester Cup, Yorkshire Cup and Great Voltigeur to their portfolio.
Betway, replacing William Hill who supported the Doncaster highlight for several years in the 1990s and from 2006, is supporting the traditional Flat season curtain-raiser, the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster on March 28th
The firm is then sponsoring two high profile races at York, the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup at York’s Dante Festival on May 13th to 15th and the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes on August 19th during the Welcome to Yorkshire, Ebor Festival.
The company has already boarded 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 2015, Betway-sponsored races will total to over £1million, in prize money, with a commitment to more as further opportunities arise.
“Betway wanted to continue investing heavily in UK racing after taking over the Champion Chase and are thrilled to be visiting some of the country’s finest courses over the season for a number of the calendar’s most historic contests.” said Betway Spokesman Alan Alger.
“We won’t stop there and are in the process of adding other races to our portfolio. The UK POC tax has been criticized by many, but we feel it is a sign that the industry is maturing in a regulated and safe way and it won’t stop us supporting racing through sponsorship. It’s an exciting time for us and we look forward to fostering partnerships with racecourses and bringing great offers to our customers in the coming.”
