Champion Hurdle Signs Mulit-million Pound Unibet Deal

Unibet has signed a multi-million-pound sponsorship deal which will see the betting brand continue to sponsor the Unibet Champion Hurdle.

The new five-year deal, running until 2028, will see the Kindred Group, owners of the Unibet brand, extend a relationship that begun in 2011. Stan James acted as the Champion Hurdle’s main sponsor until Unibet took over in 2018.

The Champion Hurdle, which is run at the Old Course at Cheltenham, is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older.

Ed Nicholson, Head of Kindred Group Racing, said, “We are delighted to sign a new long-term deal with the Jockey Club and further showcase Unibet’s commitment to UK horse racing. It is a huge honour to be associated with a race such as the Champion Hurdle and we are thrilled to be continuing our long-standing relationship with the Grade One feature.

“We are also looking forward to continuing the new-look Unibet Road to Cheltenham Series, including the new Unibet Hurdle, which will hopefully be a welcomed addition to Festival Trials Day at the end of January”.

Ian Renton, Managing Director at Jockey Club Racecourses, added, “Unibet and Kindred Group are longstanding supporters of The Cheltenham Festival and British racing more widely, and we are thrilled to be continuing our partnership with them for the next five years.

“We look forward to the Road to Cheltenham Series beginning once again in its new format across the 2023/24 season when the competition from both sides of the Irish sea looks as exciting as it ever has.”

Neil Banbury, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at Kindred Group, added, “We are keen to continue being a partner to the sport we love and are committed to continue investing in and supporting it in the coming years.”

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