William Hill Renews Sponsorship for 2024 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster
William Hill has confirmed its return as the title sponsor for the 2024 William Hill Futurity Trophy, a key event in the British Flat racing calendar, scheduled for October 26.
A Historic Partnership Revisited
William Hill, in collaboration with Doncaster Racecourse and Arena Racing Company (ARC), is set to sponsor the prestigious Futurity Trophy once again, a race they first supported in 1976.
This race serves as the finale of the British Flat season and is known for attracting top two-year-olds from Britain and Ireland.
Past winners like Auguste Rodin (2022), who went on to claim the Irish Champion Stakes, Epsom Derby, and Irish Derby, underscore the race’s reputation for producing future champions.
A Springboard for Future Stars
The William Hill Futurity Trophy has long been a stepping stone for horses that later succeed in major races.
Recent winners such as Magna Grecia (2018) and Kameko (2019) both achieved success in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas.
This year, the focus is on Aidan O’Brien’s The Lion in Winter, a 7/2 favorite, as O’Brien seeks his 12th Futurity Trophy victory.
Excitement Surrounding the 2024 Renewal
David Leyden Dunbar, ARC’s Director of Commercial Strategy & Partnerships, welcomed William Hill’s return, highlighting the importance of their renewed partnership: “William Hill have a long association with Doncaster Racecourse and the Futurity Trophy in particular, so we are delighted to welcome them back to the race.”
He also emphasized the race’s continued success in showcasing the best two-year-olds from the UK and Ireland.
William Hill’s Broader Commitment to Racing
Mark Walton, William Hill’s Racing Sponsorship Manager, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for the renewed sponsorship: “We are delighted to become the sponsors of the Group 1 William Hill Futurity Stakes, strengthening our relationship with Arena Racing Company as the curtain falls on the 2024 Flat season.”
He also reflected on William Hill’s historical connection to the race, marking their role in its evolution since 1976.