The five Classic races staged in the United Kingdom will be branded as the Betfred British Classics as part of an exciting new initiative announced today by sponsor Betfred, The Jockey Club and Arena Racing Company.
This new identity and logo celebrate Betfred’s generous sponsorship of all five British Classics and will be used to help to educate racing and sports fans about each of the races’ rich history and backstories.
Betfred first sponsored the St Leger at Doncaster in 2023, followed by the Betfred Derby and Betfred Oaks in 2024. The Betfred 2000 and Betfred 1000 Guineas, which both take place over a mile at Newmarket next month, are sponsored for the first time by Betfred in 2025.
Betfred announced last year that it will offers a bonus of £2 million to connections of any horse which wins the ‘Betfred Triple Crown’ - the Betfred 2000 Guineas, Betfred Derby and Betfred St Leger – a feat only ever achieved 15 times and not since the great Nijinsky in 1970.
While Betfred British Classics is a new identity it will celebrate the rich heritage of the five historic contests, stretching back almost 250 years to 1776. It is intended this will also help to promote each of the five Betfred British Classics, both on an individual and collective basis, in a similar fashion to “Grand Slam” events in other sports.
Betfred boss Fred Done explained why creating the new logo and launching the Betfred British Classics identity was so important.
He said: “I am incredibly proud to sponsor all five Classics for the first time and also very excited to be able to promote them both individually and collectively, with a new logo and identity for the Betfred British Classics.
“It’s all been made possible by the collaboration of both The Jockey Club and Arena Racing Company and I’m delighted to be bringing the two together to celebrate the crown jewels of British Flat racing in this way.
“Each race has the kind of history that other sports are envious of the world over, with some of the greatest horses ever to grace the turf on their roll of honour.”
Charlie Boss, interim Chief Executive of The Jockey Club, commented: “We’re delighted to partner with Betfred and Arena Racing Company in helping to promote the exciting new Betfred British Classics initiative.
“We host four of the five Classics across our venues on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket and at Epsom Downs, and it is a very positive development to promote them along with the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster under the Betfred British Classics banner – something which both celebrates heritage and looks forward to the exciting times ahead.”
David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at Arena Racing Company, added: “The Betfred British Classics are globally recognised as the ultimate test of the thoroughbred, and I’m thrilled we have worked in partnership with Betfred and The Jockey Club to acknowledge their importance with this new brand identity. Together these five races are a tremendous asset to British Racing, and it makes perfect sense for us to work collaboratively to ensure their elevation and joint promotion.”
Founded by Fred Done with a single betting shop in Salford in 1967, Betfred has grown to become the largest independent bookmaker on the high street in the UK with 1,350 shops. It remains family owned, with Fred Done as Chairman of the Betfred Group. As well as having a significant online and mobile presence, it has expanded globally into South Africa and currently operates in several states in the USA.
Betfred maintains a varied sporting sponsorship portfolio including the Betfred Super League, Championship, and Challenge Cup in Rugby League, as well as the Women’s and Wheelchair equivalents. It is also the official partner of the England Rugby League team and an official partner of Manchester United Football Club, along with maintaining long-term partnerships in golf and darts. The company is also the Official Bookmaker of Royal Ascot.
