The event exchange has entered the agreement with The Jockey Club, covering a total of 35 racedays throughout 2018, beginning at Wincanton on 6th January.

Covering 11 of The Jockey Club’s 15-strong racecourse portfolio, including Aintree, Epsom, Haydock and Sandown, the deal spans over ten per cent of its 348 meeting scheduled to take place this year. As well as extensive on-course signage, Smarkets will benefit from extensive hospitality and sponsorship of Jockey Club Wifi. 5 of the racedays will be shown live on ITV and all 35 will be broadcast by Racing UK.

In total Smarkets will be sponsoring 240 races, including the prestigious Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock in August.

Jason Trost, Chief executive, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the Jockey Club and to be integrating our industry-leading betting exchange into the live horse racing experience.The breadth of Jockey Club race days Smarkets will be sponsoring this year is a clear indication of our commitment to the sport, which is one of the most popular on our platform.”

Paul Fisher, chief executive of Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “It’s always fantastic to be able to welcome new partners into our sport and that’s very much the case with Smarkets. Their sponsorship of 35 racedays across 11 of our 15 racecourses means that Smarkets will be playing an important role in the Jockey Club Racecourses calendar in 2018.”