Betfred extends Cheltenham Gold Cup sponsorship

CHELTENHAM, England -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Cheltenham Racecourse announced today that Betfred has extended its sponsorship of the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup for a further three years, up to and including 2015.

Betfred took over sponsorship of Cheltenham's most important race in 2012 following its purchase of the Tote.

Welcoming the news, Betfred's Managing Director, John Haddock, said: "After the tremendous success of the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup last year, we wanted to secure a further long-term deal.

"It has been a pleasure dealing with Peter McNeile, the Cheltenham team and also the Jockey Club who were a major contributor in getting the agreement concluded in record time.

"We are delighted to be associated for three more years with the greatest steeplechase in the world and look forward to working with Cheltenham to making the race even bigger and better."

Paul Fisher, Group Managing Director, Jockey Club Racecourses, said: "This is an important deal for Cheltenham, Jockey Club Racecourses and British racing.

"People from all walks of life get excited by the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup and we look forward to continuing to grow its unique appeal in partnership with Betfred."

Cheltenham's Director of Sponsorship, Peter McNeile, added: "Naturally, we are delighted to secure Betfred's sponsorship of the Cheltenham Gold Cup for a further three years.

"Their support of the race and the enthusiasm they put into promoting it last season made us keen to extend our partnership and it was clear from our first conversations on the subject that the Betfred team felt the same way.

"We are both now committed to raising the profile of this iconic event even further over the next three years."

The 2013 Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup takes place on Friday, March 15, the final day of The Festival, which begins on Tuesday, March 12.