Online gaming and sports betting operator FanDuel, the parent company of the TVG racing network and betting platform, has announced a three-year partnership with Kentucky Downs.
FanDuel will sponsor Kentucky Downs’ annual six days of horse racing event between September 5-12 under the name ‘FanDuel Meet at Kentucky Downs’.
Andrew Moore, Vice President of Racing for FanDuel Group, commented: “We are thrilled to add this unique meet to our stable of horse racing and sports sponsorships. Kentucky Downs is a special track and the exceptional purses demonstrate the commitment of Ron Winchell and Marc Falcone to staging top-class turf racing. The meet will be covered on the TVG Network, and we are looking forward to bringing some of the finest turf horses in the world into millions of homes across America.”
The three-year partnership will see TVG become Kentucky Downs’ official advance deposit wagering (ADW) platform, and it will also make FanDuel the title sponsor of the $1 million FanDuel Turf Sprint, a Grade 3 stakes September 11 that is one of two Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races at the meet.
As part of the deal, Kentucky Downs races will air exclusively on TVG for network and cable television, except for NBC showing live the two Breeders’ Cup Challenge races on September 11. The $400,000 Tapit Stakes will also become the TVG Stakes, and September 8 will be TVG Day, with the racing network the day’s sponsor.
Ron Winchell, Kentucky Downs’ co-owner and co-managing partner, said: “TVG is America’s undisputed leader in television horse racing, and Kentucky Downs has developed arguably the best betting product in the industry. That includes the largest purses and field sizes in the country combined with takeout rates that are very horseplayer friendly.”
Marc Falcone, Kentucky Downs’ co-owner and co-managing partner, stated: “FanDuel and TVG recognize our value, and we’re immensely proud that Kentucky Downs has been added to their sponsorship portfolio that includes the Breeders’ Cup, Keeneland, and Del Mar in horse racing, as well as FanDuel’s association with the NFL, NBA, MLB, and PGA Tour. That’s impressive company to be keeping.”
The partnership will also see FanDuel signage appear on the starting gate, finish line, paddock, and winner’s circle, with branding on all staff uniforms. The VIP Chalet — a glass-enclosed, air-conditioned facility with an outdoor terrace providing a spectacular view of the racecourse — now carries the name FanDuel VIP Chalet.
Moore added: “It is very exciting to sponsor the FanDuel Turf Sprint. Any owner of a classy turf sprinter is going to be attracted to a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race with a purse of $1 million, and the race is sure to be a top-class event. The FanDuel brand will be exposing the Kentucky Downs product to millions of sports fans nationally and we are excited to be able to bring this unique content to them through the FanDuel Racing ADW product.”
