Coral has entered a partnership with Goodwood Racecourse as it becomes the official fixed-odds betting partner of the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

The three year commercial relationship sees the bookmaker sponsor 10 races across the five days of the competition including the Coral Golden Mile on 29 July and the Coral Stewards’ Cup the following day.

“We are delighted that Coral is to become the official betting partner of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, which is one of the most prestigious and anticipated events in the Flat racing calendar,” commented Simon Clare, Coral PR Director.

“Coral is the most committed, long-standing sponsor in British racing and in launching this exciting new partnership with Goodwood Racecourse we are strengthening our association with the sport.

“Our ambition is for Coral to set a new high bar for the way we activate and bring to life our racing sponsorships to racegoers at the event and our customers at home and bringing our new Coral Virtual Race Experience to Goodwood is a clear demonstration of that in practice.”

Coral will also be producing video content to promote its betting partnership, as well as in the aim of building anticipation amongst its customers ahead of what is often described as five of the biggest days in the British Flat racing calendar.

Jonathan Gregory, Commercial Director at Goodwood, added: “This is an exciting multi-year partnership for Goodwood with Coral, a long-established and respected name in the horse racing world.

“Their innovative activation with the Coral Virtual Race Experience Stage during the Festival will add a new dimension to racegoers’ experience and bring a unique insight into racing from the jockey’s perspective.”

The pair have also highlighted that ‘innovation and engagement’ will be at the heart of activation, in keeping with Coral’s aim of getting customers closer to the action. 

Furthermore, the betting company, along with its partner Jockey Cam Ltd, will be bringing the Coral Virtual Race Experience Stage to Goodwood which allows attendees to experience what it’s like to ride in The Qatar Sussex Stakes or the Coral Golden Mile.

Watched through VR headsets, the experience was filmed using JockeyCam’s 360-degree camera in a specially-staged seven runner race over the Goodwood mile course.