Geelong Racing Club has secured Centrebet as the naming rights sponsor for the Geelong Cup for another five years.
While the actual value of the deal is undisclosed, club president Paul Bongiorno has described it as the largest corporate partnership ever signed by the club and broke new ground in regional Victoria.
“We believe this is the largest sponsorship secured by a country club,” Bongiorno said.
“The club is thrilled that Centrebet will be its major partner for the next five years as we continue to build the Geelong Cup into a truly international race.”
Bongiorno said Geelong Cup winner Americain’s subsequent success in the Melbourne Cup further enhanced the race’s “burgeoning reputation”.
“Our Cup now receives significant overseas recognition as an important lead-up race to the Melbourne Cup and with Centrebet as a leading international online betting and gaming company we believe there is tremendous synergy between the two parties,” he said.
Centrebet’s Neil Evans said the Geelong Cup was one of the most progressive races in Australasia.
“With the Cup, and housing the only all-weather synthetic racetrack in Victoria, we are extremely happy to stand alongside Geelong racing as its major partner and we have a unique vision planned,” Evans said.
Last year the Geelong Cup offered $225,000 in prizemoney and any increase will be announced after a decision is made next month on the club’s application to have the October race elevated from Group Three to Group Two.
AAP TURF
