With a history dating back to 1963, the December Gold Cup has seen notable winners such as Flyingbolt, Pendil, Dublin Flyer and Frodon – the last of whom secured a rare dual victory in 2018 under the guidance of Bryony Frost.
As part of this upcoming sponsorship, Virgin Bet will acknowledge stable staff by offering the opportunity for each Best Turned Out Award winner to receive a £1,000 voucher. Additionally, Virgin Bet will contribute £5,000 to the Gold Cup 100 Community Fund, dedicated to commemorating the Cheltenham Gold Cup's centenary in March 2024.
Ric Leask, Virgin Bet Marketing Director, stated: “We are thrilled to announce Virgin Bet's sponsorship of the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham. We are passionate about delivering an unparalleled sports betting experience, and there’s no better way to showcase this commitment than by supporting one of the most prestigious events in the racing calendar.”
Ian Renton, Managing Director of The Jockey Club (West), added: “It is a pleasure to welcome Virgin Bet as the new sponsor of the December Gold Cup, and I would like to say thanks for this very generous support.
“The Virgin Bet Gold Cup is always highly competitive and provides a thrilling jump racing spectacle in the run-up to Christmas. This year’s entries look very strong, and we look forward to another tremendous renewal on Saturday 16th December.”
The announcement of this sponsorship comes after Virgin Bet renewed its sponsorship of the Ayr Gold Cup Festival earlier in the year.