Haydock close to admitting defeat in sponsorship search

Haydock’s feature Flat race looks set to be run without a sponsor after course officials admitted time is running out to find a backer for next month’s Sprint Cup.

The Group 1 contest has carried the name of Betfred since 2007, except for when it was rescheduled at Doncaster in 2008, but the commercial agreement ended last November as a consequence of British racing's authorised betting partner initiative, which barred offshore bookies from sponsoring races unless they agreed to make voluntary contributions to the sport.

With Betfred refusing to sign up to the initiative, Haydock’s owners Jockey Club Racecourses have been seeking alternative backing for the Sprint Cup, held this year on September 3, which will still carry the same £260,000 purse as last year. However after a nine-month search no replacement has been found.