Betfred becomes first operator to sponsor all five Classics
Warrington-based bookmaker pens new deal for Newmarket’s 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas from 2025 onwards in landmark sponsorship agreement
Betfred has entered into a multi-year agreement to sponsor Newmarket’s 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas races from 2025 onwards.
The firm will replace the Qatar Investment and Project Development Holding Company (Qipco) as the Guineas’ sponsor after the fund announced it would scale back its investment in British horseracing.
It will also sponsor an additional seven races across the three days of the festival next May.
The deal makes Betfred the first bookmaker to sponsor all five of Britain’s Classic races at the same time.
The bookmaker also sponsors the Betfred Oaks and Betfred Derby at Epsom Downs as well as the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster.
Betfred took the title rights for those races last year, replacing online car retailer Cazoo.
In addition to the sponsorship, it has also offered a £2m bonus to connections of any horse which wins the ‘Betfred Triple Crown’ – the Betfred 2,000 Guineas, Betfred Derby and Betfred St Leger.
The Triple Crown feat has not been achieved since Nijinsky, ridden by legendary jockey Lester Piggott, managed to do so in 1970.
Betfred owner Fred Done said: “Nobody has ever sponsored all five 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.
“I want to put the British Classics back where they belong, at the forefront of global horseracing.
“As The Bonus King, it only seems right that I should offer a bonus. It hasn’t been done since Nijinsky back in 1970, and although Camelot came very close in 2012, it seems about time we were celebrating another Triple Crown winner.”
Amy Starkey, managing director of The Jockey Club, added: “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 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas.
“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.”
She concluded: “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.”