Ladbrokes is new St Leger sponsor

Bookmakers Ladbrokes are to sponsor the world's oldest Classic, the St Leger, in a threeyear deal.

The announcement was made today at a press conference hosted jointly by racecourse proprietors and operators Arena Leisure, which took over management of Doncaster racecourse - the home of the St Leger - towards the end of last year, and Ladbrokes.

The Ladbrokes St Leger on Saturday, 10 September, 2005 will be the 229th running of the Classic which was first staged in 1776. The three-year deal with Arena will see a £50,000 increase in the prize fund to £450,000, making the St Leger one of the richest races in Britain.

Prize money will increase each year with the value rising to half a million pounds in 2007.

Ladbrokes are also introducing a £1million bonus for any colt able to win the 2000 Guineas, the Derby and St Leger, the traditional Triple Crown.

Today's announcement is a major boost to the Town Moor course which Arena and Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council plan to totally rejuvenate.