Betfred will be the new sponsor of Newmarket's 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas from 2025 onwards, it was announced on Thursday. The multi-year agreement means the bookmaker will become the first brand to sponsor all five of Britain's Classics–the others being the Betfred Oaks and Betfred Derby at Epsom and Doncaster's Betfred St Leger–at the same time.
To mark their sponsorship of the prestigious contests, Betfred have also announced that a £2-million bonus will be on offer to connections of any horse who completes the 'Betfred Triple Crown' by winning the 2,000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger. The Triple Crown has been won 15 times, although not since Nijinsky in 1970.
Betfred will also sponsor an additional seven races across the three days of the Betfred Guineas Festival, which next year takes place from May 2-4.
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. Therefore, I am offering £2 million to any horse who wins the Betfred Triple Crown, consisting of the Betfred 2000 Guineas, Betfred Derby and Betfred St Leger.
“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, said, “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. 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.”
Aidan O'Brien is the most successful trainer of all-time in the five British Classics with a total of 44 wins, including 10 editions of both the 2,000 Guineas and Derby.
He said, “It's a great incentive that Betfred have put up a £2m bonus for any horse that wins the Triple Crown. We all at Ballydoyle and Coolmore greatly appreciate all their sponsorship throughout the season and this bonus will make the Classic races even more exciting.
“It takes a very unique horse to go through all the Triple Crown races–they have got to have quality, class, speed, stamina and mental strength.”
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