Virgin Bet was title sponsor of the Autumn Festival last year, and this renewal ensures their continued support for one of Chester’s most prestigious fixtures. As part of the agreement, Virgin Bet will once again take title sponsorship of both days of the Virgin Bet Autumn Festival on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th September, with two ITV races showcased live on Saturday, including the prestigious Virgin Bet Stand Cup.
The partnership also extends to Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse, where Virgin Bet will title sponsor the Christmas Meeting and the March Meeting.
As part of the sponsorship, racegoers can expect to see prominent Virgin Bet branding across both Chester and Bangor-on-Dee Racecourses, reinforcing the partnership on-course and across television coverage. The branding presence will form a central part of the raceday experience, ensuring strong visibility for Virgin Bet while enhancing the atmosphere for guests.
They continue to champion the racing industry’s workforce by recognising the dedication of stable staff. At every ITV broadcast race meeting featuring a Virgin Bet sponsored race, Virgin Bet will award the Best Turned Out willed £100. Additionally, all Best Turned Out Winners on the day will be entered into a draw to win a £500 voucher, adding an extra layer of excitement to the raceday experience.
Virgin Bet also provides significant support to Racing Welfare, the industry’s charity that works to improve the lives of people across British horseracing. At each ITV televised race meeting between August and April, Virgin Bet donates £2,000 to Racing Welfare. In the 2024/25 season, this support funded the cost of a welfare officer, enabling the charity to deliver vital services across the racing community from recruitment to retirement.
Virgin Bet is also committed to supporting safer experiences for racegoers. Through its partnership with WalkSafe, the UK’s leading personal safety app, Virgin Bet is encouraging racegoers to download WalkSafe+. The app helps users plan the safest route home and offers a range of features designed to provide reassurance and protection, ensuring that an enjoyable raceday also ends safely.
Kate Dawson, Commercial Director at Chester Racecourse, said:
“We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with Virgin Bet as title sponsor of the Autumn Festival. Their continued investment, now part of a multi-year deal, goes far beyond race sponsorship. It reflects a genuine commitment to the people who make racing happen and to the wellbeing of our racegoers. With strong ITV coverage and a shared ambition to create memorable and safe raceday experiences, this partnership brings huge value to both the racing community and our spectators.”
Dominic Vye, Marketing Director, Virgin Bet, said:
“We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Chester Racecourse after the success of last year’s sponsorship.
“Chester’s history and atmosphere make it one of the most special venues in racing, and we can’t wait to build on that this season and give fans more unforgettable racedays.”
The Virgin Bet Autumn Festival takes place at Chester Racecourse across two thrilling days of top-class racing, showcasing some of the sport’s most exciting horses, trainers, and jockeys.
