William Hill Sponsoring Winter Festival

British bookmaking giant William Hill has announced a four-year deal with Kempton Park Racecourse that will see it sponsor the Winter Festival including the Surrey course’s showpiece King George VI Chase.

London-based William Hill revealed that the sponsorship deal for the popular Christmas occasion is worth $7.3 million and will run until the end of 2012.

The new William Hill Winter Festival will incorporate naming rights to the two-day gala in addition to sponsorship of some of National Hunt’s most famous races in the Christmas Hurdle, Desert Orchid Chase and Feltham Chase.

'We are delighted to have reached an agreement on a four-year sponsorship for Kempton Park’s flagship jumps meeting of the year,” said Amy Starkey, Managing Director for the Sunbury-On-Thames-based racecourse.

“The William Hill Winter Festival will further strengthen the racecourse and we will now work with William Hill to enhance what is a superb advertisement for our sport.'

William Hill stated that its new deal further strengthens its relationship with Kempton Park Racecourse following its recent sponsorship of the Lanzarote Hurdle Day, The Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle and The Roseberry and Magnolia Stakes all-weather races.

'The sponsorship of this historic and prestigious event affords William Hill the opportunity to enhance our portfolio of great betting races for the general public while strengthening our loyalty to racing during a difficult financial period,” said Ralph Topping, Chief Executive Officer for William Hill.

“We are proud to be associated with a race synonymous with so many famous racehorses. Among them the unforgettable Desert Orchid, Arkle himself and triple King George winner Kauto Star.

“We are committed to working with Kempton Park to enhance the Winter Festival meeting and look forward to working with this dynamic team throughout the next four years.'