Investec has signed the biggest sponsorship agreement in British racing history after committing itself to a ten-year extension of its Derby Festival sponsorship.
As a result the Investec Derby, as the prestigious race will continue to be known, will have an increased prize fund of UK£1.325 million this year. The new deal runs until 2021.
Investec managing director Bernard Kantor and Epsom Racecourse chairman Anthony Cane
Insiders have confirmed the deal is worth a significant eight-figure sum over the ten years with The Telegraph reporting it to be a contract in the region of UK£30 million overall. The extension has been completed in the fourth year of Investec’s original five year sponsorship agreement for the event, which was signed in May 2009 when the bank replaced Vodafone as title sponsor.
Rupert Trevelyan, managing director of Epsom Downs Racecourse, where the Derby is staged each year, said: “We are delighted that Investec have agreed to extend their sponsorship for a further 10 years. They are a fantastic brand to work with, very forward thinking and proactive, and we will continue to work in collaboration with them to develop the Investec Derby Festival. It is only fitting for such a prestigious event like the Derby to have such a high profile, committed and long term partner.”
Raymond van Niekerk, global head of marketing at Investec added, “The Derby Festival is Investec’s grandest single spectacle in sponsorship. The event has a magnificent profile in the social arena as well as in the racing and sports industry. Since we started in 2009 the sponsorship has been very rewarding for us as a brand, and it will continue to grow in stature as we work with Epsom to cement the Investec Derby Festival as one of the key events in the British social and sport calendar. The last three years have been very special and we look forward to working with Epsom for at least the next 10 years!”
Investec are also continuing as sponsors of Epsom’s Spring Meeting for the next decade. This year’s Derby Festival itself will take place on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd June.
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