Newcastle Racecourse has confirmed that betting exchange Betfair has been named as the official sponsor for both the Northumberland Plate Festival and Fighting Fifth Hurdle races due to take place at the end of June.
After agreeing to the sponsorship deal with the racecourse and Arena Racing Company (ARC), the Betfair Exchange Northumberland Plate is due to be broadcast live as a feature race across ITV 1 and Sky Sports Racing.
Other feature races run across the three-day meeting will also include the Group 3 Betfair Exchange Chipchase Stakes and the Group 3 Betfair Exchange Hoppings Stakes.
Executive Director of Newcastle Racecourse, David Williamson, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Betfair on board as the principal partner of two of our feature meetings at Newcastle Racecourse. The Northumberland Plate is a race very much embedded in the history of the area and we look forward to a new era with such a prestigious new sponsor.”
“The Fighting Fifth often attracts some of the top two-mile hurdlers from Britain and Ireland and the clash between Buveur D’Air and Samcro was one of the most anticipated clashes of last season.”
In addition to sponsoring the Northumberland Plate fixture, Betfair is also due to become the headline sponsor for the Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle. Run at the beginning of December over two miles, the race has been won in the last two years by two-time Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D’Air.
Brand Director for Betfair in Europe, Stephen Mault, commented: ‘’To add such an historic Heritage Handicap like the Northumberland Plate and the Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle to our ever evolving and increasing Horseracing sponsorship portfolio clearly outlines our commitment to the sport.
“Our own heritage is steeped in Horseracing and we strive to give racegoers a very unique experience when they attend a Betfair sponsored race day. That is something we, in conjunction with the team at Newcastle, will be focusing on delivering in the coming weeks and months.’’
