BetMGM is announced as the new sponsor of the County Hurdle, the £100,000 Premier Handicap staged over an extended two miles on the fourth and final day of The Cheltenham Festival.

The first County Hurdle was run in 1920 and won by Trespasser. Willie Mullins, The Cheltenham Festival’s most successful trainer with 94 winners, landed the contest for a record sixth time in 2022 with State Man. Last year saw trainer Dan Skelton enjoy his fourth County Hurdle triumph courtesy of 33-1 chance Faivoir. It is a race which frequently attracts a maximum field (currently 26 runners).

In an exciting new partnership, BetMGM, the premium online betting and gaming brand, will be an Official Betting Partner of The Jockey Club and have its name attached to a number of flagship races and racedays at Jockey Club Racecourses.

In addition to the BetMGM County Hurdle, these will also include the Grade Two Haldon Gold Cup (Exeter) and Grade Two Elite Hurdle (Wincanton), which both take place during The West Country Weekend in November, as well as races during Cheltenham’s Christmas Meeting in December.

In BetMGM’s brilliant new Cheltenham Festival TV advert, Hollywood star Chris Rock says: “At BetMGM we know how to put on a show. Welcome to Fabulous Cheltenham – this is the greatest show on earth, Vegas style. Get ready to roar. Bet £10 and get £60 in free bets. This is the golden era of the Cheltenham Festival. BetMGM – It’s Showtime!”

Commenting ahead of the Cheltenham Festival, Sam Behar, UK Director at BetMGM said: “We are thrilled to sponsor the County Hurdle. This is the brand’s first Festival and we’ve marked it in the best possible way. We’re dedicated to providing an entertaining betting experience for racing fans across the country, and have undoubtedly gone the extra mile in giving customers market leading offers.”

Acting Director of Partnerships at The Jockey Club, Matt Powell, said: “We are delighted to announce this new partnership and what better way to start it off than with the BetMGM County Hurdle, one of the most competitive contests staged during The Cheltenham Festival. This is very much the start of what we expect to be a strong and enduring partnership between BetMGM and The Jockey Club.”