The Australian Turf Club has announced a new sponsor for the Sydney autumn carnival, car company BMW.

The deal means BMW will hold naming rights to the ATC’s flagship carnival, which will be known as the `BMW Sydney Carnival’, along with backing Doncaster Mile Day on April 21.

It also fills the void left by Emirates which declined to extend its sponsorship of the Doncaster Mile due to the redevelopment of Randwick where the Group One race is held.

BMW have been strong supporters of racing and have sponsored the autumn’s premier staying race, the $2.25 million BMW (2400m) at Rosehill, for a number of years.

Under the new agreement, BMW’s sponsorship of that race will continue.

Darren Pearce, ATC chief executive, said the partnership with BMW showed market confidence in the future of racing in Sydney.

“We’ve had a long and mutually beneficial association with BMW at Rosehill Gardens and the new agreement takes this partnership to the next level, across all four of our venues with a focus on our key carnival and two of our most famous races,” Pearce said.

“The vision is to establish Sydney Carnival as a world-class racing carnival that enjoys global recognition and we’re thrilled to align our business with such a prestigious global brand.”

The ATC made Wednesday’s announcement in conjunction with Racing NSW, Destinations NSW and BMW Australia.