William Hill has become the title sponsor of the inaugural ‘Racing League’ – UK horse racing’s first team-based competition which aims to revive public interest in the heritage sports.
Beginning on Thursday 29 July at Newcastle Racecourse, the Racing League will feature 12 teams riding in 36 handicap races, with the competition taking place over a six-week period.
Competition organiser Championship Horseracing has guaranteed ‘£1.8 million prize money at stake on the racetrack’ equating to £50,000 for each race, on top of a £200,000 in raceday bonuses for the winning team and top three jockeys.
Backing the Racing League, Liam McKee, Head of Sponsorship and Media at William Hill, said: “At William Hill, racing is part of our DNA, and the Racing League is a truly unique and innovative project that we are delighted to be involved in. Bring on next Thursday.”
As title sponsor, William Hill secures all branding and naming rights of the Racing League, including at the competitions four host racecourses during the competition’s Thursday night race fixtures held at Newcastle, Doncaster, Lingfield Park and Royal Windsor.
Ahead of the competition start date, William Hill has set the ante-post prices for each of Racing League’s 12 teams based on their chances of winning the League and banking the £150,000 bonus.
Oli Harris, CMO of Racing League, commented: “William Hill is one of the biggest names in the sports industry, and will help take Racing League to the next level in terms of our profile. We are very much looking forward to working with the team at William Hill to maximise this relationship. With a week to go until our first event, it’s a very exciting time for Racing League.”