Doncaster Racecourse, Arena Racing Company and Betfred are delighted to announce a new, multi-year partnership with the St Leger Festival, including the World’s oldest Classic, the Betfred St Leger Stakes.
The four-day Betfred St Leger Festival will run from Thursday, 14 to Sunday, 17 September, with the title sponsors supporting a number of the key races across the meeting, including the Betfred May Hill Stakes, Doncaster Cup, Champagne Stakes and Park Stakes.
Doncaster was granted city status as part of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022 which will be commemorated with the renamed Betfred City of Doncaster Handicap, run on the final day of the four-day meeting.
Having first been run in 1776, the Betfred St Leger is the World’s oldest Classic. The race represents the final leg in racing’s historic Triple Crown of the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Betfred Derby at Epsom Downs. The Triple Crown has not been achieved since the great Nijinsky in 1970, ridden that day by Lester Piggott.
One of the most established businesses in the North West of England, Betfred operates over 1350 betting shops nationwide and is one of the most prolific sponsors in UK sport. Betfred is the headline sponsor of Rugby League, British Masters Golf, Matchroom Boxing, and a partner of Manchester United. Betfred has been a long-term supporter of British racing, including recently announcing the Betfred Derby and Oaks at Epsom and the official betting partner of Ascot Racecourse.
Across the Arena Racing Company group, Betfred has previously sponsored races such as the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter, the Lingfield Oaks and Derby Trials, and several races at Doncaster, including the November Handicap.
Betfred boss, Fred Done, said,
“To have the Betfred name attached to the St Leger Festival is not just a sponsorship but a privilege. I am proud to be associated with the world’s oldest classic which is obviously synonymous with great horses like Triple Crown winner Nijinsky, Dunfermline for the Queen and Oh So Sharp for Sir Henry Cecil.”
Arena Racing Company Chief Executive, Martin Cruddace, said, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Betfred as the headline sponsor of the St Leger Festival and the Betfred St Leger itself.
“Fred Done and his team have long been keen supporters of British racing, and including this historic race meeting in their sponsorship portfolio is another indication of their commitment to the sport. The whole sport is extremely fortunate to benefit from working in partnership with Fred and his team. We very much look forward to a fantastic Betfred St Leger Festival in September.”