Betfair takes over as sponsor of Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival

Betfair Australia has been unveiled as the new naming rights partner of the Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival, one of the biggest horse racing events in Australia which takes place in January and February every year.

The three-year exclusive arrangement includes naming rights for the carnival’s feature events, the Betfair Hobart and Betfair Launceston Cups.

Betfair Australia chief executive officer Giles Thompson said: “As a proud Tasmanian, we leapt at the opportunity to partner with the Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival.”

Betfair has been licensed by Tasmania since February 2006 and currenty employs more than 110 staff at its state-of-the-art headquarters at the Technopark at Dowsing Point in Hobart.

The company replaces AAMI who has been sponsoring the event for the past twelve years.

Tasracing chairman Brian Speers said that the partnership was a positive one for the thoroughbred racing industry, the host clubs and for Tasracing, the corporate entity which governs the racing industry in Tasmania.

“Betfair is obviously a high-profile, international organisation and we are delighted that it has partnered with our thoroughbred carnival in this way,” he said. “Through the partnership, Betfair will continue to help place the national thoroughbred racing spotlight on Tasmania during the summer months.

“It is also a strong vote of confidence in the Tasmanian thoroughbred product and sends a clear message of support to our other sponsors and stakeholders regarding the state of our industry.”

Speers said the new Betfair Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival was in an excellent position to continue to grow and develop.

“The 2013 carnival benefited from increased wagering turnover and strong participation from interstate owners, trainer and jockeys,” he said. “More than $1.2m, or 64 per cent of carnival prize money, was won by Tasmanian-owned horses.

“This was a strong result for the thoroughbred industry in Tasmania and a very real demonstration that Tasmanian-owned thoroughbred horses can compete against quality horses from interstate.”