Lexus end sponsorship at Leopardstown
CAR company Lexus has terminated its sponsorship of Leopardstown’s Grade 1 three-mile weight-for-age chase. Next month’s edition will likely be called the Leopardstown Christmas Chase unless a suitable sponsor comes forward.
Leopardstown CEO Pat Keogh said: “After 13 years Lexus has decided to redistribute its sponsorship budget elsewhere. We’ve been very satisfied with our relationship but there is now a great opportunity for another sponsor to get involved.”
When Hennessy ended its sponsorship of Leopardstown’s Gold Cup a few years ago, the racecourse ran the race without a sponsor before doing a deal with Unibet, parent company of Stan James.
Keogh commented: “We would be delighted to find a new sponsor immediately but otherwise we’re happy to run it without a sponsor for one year. This allows a new sponsor to come on board with a blank canvas.”
The racecourse boss added that interest in race sponsorship was generally strong with every race at next February’s inaugural Dublin Racing Festival sponsored.
Galway award
GALWAY Racecourse won a tourism award at the Galway Chamber Business Awards last weekend.
Breeder award for Laganore
THE October Connolly’s Red Mills/The Irish Field Breeder of Month award goes to Newtown Anner Stud for Laganore, a first Group 1 winner for trainer Tony Martin and the 2017 Irish champion jockey Colin Keane.
IRTA election
ERIC McNamara, Patrick Prendergast and Brendan Duke have put their names forward for election to the committee of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association. There are two places available and voting takes place at the Keadeen Hotel on Tuesday week, November 28th. IRTA members who cannot attend can post or email their votes to the IRTA by the day before.
Gilltown open for viewing
LEADING sire Sea The Stars, his dual Derby-winning son Harzand and his half-brother Born To Sea will be available for viewing at Gilltown Stud during the Goffs November Sales, from Monday to Friday, between 10.30am and 3.30pm. Visitors are welcome by appointment and a courtesy car will be available from the Goffs sales complex. Breeders are invited to arrange a visit by contacting Gilltown Stud by phone or calling to their stand inside the main door at Goffs.
Voting opens for HRI award
VOTING is now open to the public for the 2017 Horse Racing Ireland Awards Outstanding Achievement category. The winner will be announced at the HRI Awards on Tuesday, December 5th. Voting will remain open until noon on Friday, December 1st. The nominations are jockeys Lisa O’Neill, Rachael Blackmore, Padraig Beggy and Jack Kennedy, and trainers Pat Kelly and Joseph O’Brien.
Fixture change
DUE to the change of date for the All-Ireland Football Final next year, the Curragh has switched its Sunday, September 2nd meeting to Friday evening, August 31st. The Curragh also races on Saturday, September 1st and the stakes races will be run on that card.
Broken bones
CONOR Brassil will be out of action for at least three months having broken his leg in a fall at Fairyhouse recently. The jump jockey also missed the early part of this year though injury. Amateur rider Paul O’Neill is also recovering from a broken leg.
Famous move
PROLIFIC stakes winner Famous Name will stand at Alastair Pim’s Anngrove Stud in Co Laois next year. The horse stood at the Irish National Stud for the past five seasons and had his first crop of three-year-olds this year.
PTP cancelled
THE Westmeath & Longford point-to-point scheduled for next Sunday, November 26th, has been cancelled.
Idaho in Japan
JAPAN Cup hopeful Idaho enjoyed some light exercise on Friday after arriving in the country ahead of his big-race date. The Aidan O’Brien-trained four-year-old is due to undertake his next international challenge in the 12-furlong event at Tokyo racecourse on Sunday week (November 26th) after racing in America, France and Canada on his last three starts.