DraftKings agrees new NYRA sponsorship deal

DraftKings has agreed a deal with the New York Racing Association (NYRA) to become an official betting partner of Saratoga Race Course and the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, as well as the presenting sponsor of the Travers.

The 155^th running of the $1.25 million DraftKings Travers on 24 August will serve as the centerpiece of the 2024 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, which runs from Thursday 11 July to Monday 2 September.

The DraftKings Travers Day program will include five Grade 1 events in total, with live national television coverage on FOX and the FOX Sports family of networks.

“Bringing DraftKings and DK Horse back to Saratoga for a second consecutive year is a tremendous honor,” said DraftKings general manager of horse racing Christopher Cipolla. “Having our branding present throughout the summer at one of the most beautiful and well attended race tracks in all of the world and being named the presenting sponsor of this year’s Travers and Acorn further cements our commitment to the sport of horse racing.”

The sponsorship agreement sees DraftKings’ advance deposit wagering offering, DK Horse, play a prominent role throughout the 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival and become presenting sponsor of the $500,000 DK Horse Acorn.

The DK Horse Acorn will anchor day two of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival on Friday 7 June, which will include three Grade 1 events among four stakes in total.

“DraftKings is a premier brand within the rapidly growing sports wagering marketplace, and this arrangement will help to introduce world class racing to a wider audience of fans and bettors,” said NYRA chief revenue officer Tony Allevato. “This will be a tremendously exciting year at Saratoga Race Course, and we thank DraftKings for supporting New York horse racing.”

Shares in DraftKings Inc (NASDAQ:DKNG) closed 1.36 per cent higher at $45.37 per share in New York Thursday.