Cheltenham Racecourse has announced that Sky Bet will sponsor the G1 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival™ presented by Magners for another five years.
The two-mile contest is the first race on Champion Day (Tuesday, March 12, 2019) and the traditional curtain-raiser to the four-day extravaganza.
Leeds-based Sky Bet first supported the G1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2014, and the extension of its sponsorship will take Sky Bet’s backing of the G1 contest up until at least 2023 – 10 years in total.
The five runnings of the G1 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle have produced some outstanding winners, most notably Altior in 2016.
Altior returned to The Festival in 2017 to land the G1 Racing Post Arkle Novices’ Chase and in 2018 to win the G1 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase. The 2015 G1 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hero Douvan also came back to Cheltenham the following year to capture the G1 Racing Post Arkle Novices’ Chase.
The 2018 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle went to Summerville Boy, trained close to Cheltenham at Slad by Tom George, who beat Kalashnikov by a neck in a thrilling finish.
Ian Proctor, CEO of Sky Betting & Gaming, said: “The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is an iconic part of the racing calendar and we have loved being associated with it.
“I am thrilled we have agreed to extend our sponsorship for another five years and cannot wait to hear that famous Cheltenham roar again next year.”
Ian Renton, Regional Director, Cheltenham & The South West, The Jockey Club, added: “We thoroughly enjoy our partnership with Sky Bet and I am delighted that we are to work together for a further five years.
“The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle always provides a great race to start The Festival™ presented by Magners and, with many winners going on to victory again at the highest level, it really is a race to savour.”
In addition to the flagship G1 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Sky Bet continues to support a series of races on the ‘Road To Cheltenham’:
Cheltenham, Sunday, November 18 – G2 Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle
Ascot, Friday, December 21 – G2 Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle
Punchestown, Sunday, January 13 – G2 Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice
Haydock Park, Saturday, January 19 – G2 Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle
Musselburgh, Sunday, February 3 – G2 Sky Bet Supreme Scottish Trial Novices’ Hurdle
Kempton Park, Saturday, February 23 – G2 Sky Bet Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle