EBF Supports Sponsorship Movement

The European Breeders Fund has voiced its support for a new policy announced by Jockey Club Racecourses and Arena Racing Company last week that will not allow bookmakers to sponsor races unless they make a fair contribution to the sport, according to Racing Post. Jockey Club Racecourses and Arena Racing Company said earlier this week they will not enter into sponsorship agreements with bookmakers unless they pay an agreed amount in Levy contributions or have a commercial funding agreement in place as of Dec. 31. Betting operators deemed to have a fair and mutually sustainable funding relationship with the sport will be designated as authorized betting operators, and those currently include 32Red, bet365 and Betfair.

EBF Chief Executive Kerry Murphy told Racing Post, “The European Breeders Fund is delighted with the initiative launched by JCR and Arc and, as one of the largest sponsors in Britain, wishes to do all it can to support them. Accordingly, the British EBF will in future engage in new joint-sponsorships only with authorised betting partners. We will work with JCR, Arc and the independent racecourses over the coming months as the allocation of EBF funds, estimated at over £1.3 million for 2016, is determined.”