TWO of Leopardstown’s Grade 1 hurdle races at the Christmas Festival are currently without sponsors.

The two-mile Grade 1 December Hurdle on the fourth day of the meeting has carried the Ryanair name since 2013. However, company CEO Michael O’Leary – who paid for the sponsorship personally – is gradually winding down his racing interests.

Ryanair has also ended its sponsorship of the Grade 1 novice chase at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival.

Fairyhouse manager Peter Roe said: “I’m very thankful to Ryanair for stepping in to sponsor when they did. Michael told me long ago the sponsorship would be ending – you always knew where you stood with him.”

The airline will continue to sponsor the featured chase on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Last February the company stated that an estimated 25,000 Irish people fly with Ryanair on their way to the Cheltenham Festival.

Returning to the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, the other Grade 1 hurdle race currently without a sponsor is the three-mile event on the third day of the meeting. This race was sponsored by Squared Financial last year.