Pinsent Masons advise as Grand National gets new sponsor

Randox Health will become the new Official Partner of the Grand National, and the three-day Grand National Festival staged at Aintree Racecourse, in a five-year deal starting in May.

Randox Health is a world leader in healthcare diagnostics; today more than 5% of the world’s population receives medical diagnosis using Randox products each year.

Pinsent Masons has also advised on an agreement that sees Randox Health become the Official Healthcare Partner of The Jockey Club. The Jockey Club runs many of horse racing's most iconic assets such as the Grand National Festival include the Cheltenham Festival, The Investec Derby Festival and The National Stud - with all profits going back into the sport thanks to being a company incorporated by Royal Charter.

John Baker, North West Regional Director for Jockey Club Racecourses, ‎who runs Aintree, said:

"I am delighted to welcome Randox Health as our new headline partner from after the 2016 Crabbie's Grand National Festival and as The Jockey Club’s official healthcare partner, with presence across all 15 of our racecourses. This is an incredibly exciting time to join forces with Randox Health because they are highly ambitious as a company and share our aspiration to promote the Grand National to the maximum number of people in the years ahead. "

"Similarly, I am delighted that we were able to benefit from the significant experience of the Pinsent Masons business of sport team to guide us in negotiating and finalising these agreements. Having worked with them for many years we have built a strong relationship. Not only have they invested time in understanding our business but they also provide us with that intuitive guidance drawn from their substantial involvement in sports rights and agreements across a wide range of territories and events.”

Trevor Watkins, global head of the business of sport team at Pinsent Masons, said:

"This was another great transaction and that gives us huge pride to have lead on in advising Jockey Club Racecourses. At the outset, an ambitious timetable was set to bringing together a leading brand new to the sponsorship arena with one of the world's greatest horseraces. Whilst our long standing relationship and work across sport helped considerably in ensuring we were well briefed, it was very satisfying to see the two agreements delivered within the deadline set. We believe our understanding of and tremendous passion for the sports industry sets us apart.  Our long standing relationship with the client is one we value tremendously – it offers a great platform for us to also re-invest in the sport through our innovative partnership with Jockey Club Racecourses."

The Pinsent Masons team advising Jockey Club Racecourses comprised partners Trevor Watkins, James Earl and Associate Kim Perry.