Unibet will be sponsoring their 2000th race at Kempton Park this evening, a milestone that further demonstrates the incredible support they have shown the horse racing industry and highlights the wonderful alliance Unibet have developed with long time partners The Jockey Club.
Unibet have currently sponsored 1997 races at the racecourse to date, and with the nine-race card taking place at the track this evening, they will surpass the landmark number following race three suitably named the “Unibet 2000 Sponsored Races At Kempton EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes”.
The 2000 races will have been made up of 1975 All Weather races, 12 Chase races, 12 Hurdle races and one National Hunt flat race. Some of the most high-profile equine stars to feature include Enable, Kalpana and Mostahdaf on the flat as well as jumping legends such as Altior, Buveur D'Air and Frodon.
There have been 1692 different winners heading into this evening’s meeting, with the John Butler-trained Uzincso the most prolific winner of a Unibet sponsored race at Kempton winning 7 of his 31 starts. Beauen Arrow, formerly trained by Michael Attwater, holds the unfortunate record of most runs in Unibet sponsored races without winning once.
Of the trainers, Andrew Balding trained the most winners, and had the most runners whilst Charlie Appleby has the best strike rate of any trainer with more than 16 runners at 32.8%. Unsurprisingly Oisin Murphy came out on top of the jockeys throughout that period winning 111 Unibet sponsored races whilst David Probert rode in the most races and William Buick had the best strike rate of 25.96%.
This is not the only sponsorship landmark Unibet are fast approaching as they close in on 3000 races sponsored across the UK and Ireland, further reinforcing how they have been one of racing’s biggest supporters in the last 10 years.
Ed Nicholson, Head of Kindred Group racing communications & sponsorship, said:
“We are thrilled to have reached this milestone of sponsored races at Kempton, really highlighting our commitment to the sport and the strong relationship we have formed with the Jockey Club.
“We have had some wonderful memories to look back on starting from Unibet’s very first sponsored race at the track when Buveur D’air won the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day on his way to winning the Unibet Champion Hurdle in March.
“We are looking forward to celebrating 3000 sponsored races in the UK and Ireland at beginning of next year and hope we can continue this level of support during a turbulent time for both the racing and betting industry.”
Simon Durrant, General Manager at Kempton Park, said:
“Unibet’s 2,000th sponsored race at Kempton Park represents a remarkable landmark in their partnership with the venue and stands as a testament to their exceptional commitment to British racing and Kempton Park in particular.
“Their long-term investment has played a vital role in helping us deliver world-class racing and enhanced experiences for participants and racegoers alike. We are sincerely grateful for their continued partnership, which remains essential to the ongoing growth and success of our sport.”
Barney Clifford, Head of Racing at Kempton Park, said:
“Reaching the milestone of Unibet’s 2,000th sponsored race at Kempton Park is a tremendous achievement and a proud moment for everyone involved.
“Over the years, Unibet’s support has helped showcase some of the sport’s most exceptional horses that have gone on to become legends of the Flat and Jumps alike. Their partnership has been instrumental in helping Kempton Park maintain its reputation as a stage where champions are made.”
