LEADING business advisory firm, Grant Thornton, has signed a new sponsorship deal with Down Royal racecourse which will give the firm exclusive naming rights to the fixture on Friday, September 3rd – the Grant Thornton Race Evening.

The investment also covers four race titles including the Grant Thornton Nursery Handicap over seven furlongs, won last year by the Jim Bolger-trained Verbal Fencing, and the Grant Thornton Ulster Cesarewitch Handicap.

Here, when justifying favouritism last September, the Colin Keane-partnered Jerandme gave trainer Noel Meade a fourth success in the two-and-a-quarter-mile contest.

“We are absolutely delighted to secure the support of Grant Thornton as one of our prestige business partners and to welcome them to our premier stable of sponsors,” commented Emma Meehan, chief executive of Down Royal.

“This has been an extremely challenging year for the racing industry but we are thrilled to be opening our gates, slowly but surely, to owners, members and our dedicated sponsors. With the backing and investment from Grant Thornton, we look forward to bringing racing back to racegoers and building a long and mutually beneficial relationship for both brands.”

Richard Gillan, managing partner at Grant Thornton Northern Ireland said: “We all know that the past year has been a difficult one for many businesses, and for the wider economy and society as a whole. It has certainly been a busy period for Grant Thornton working with clients, new and established, helping them navigate through the pandemic.

“Now we are conscious of our responsibility in helping to drive the economy forward as restrictions lift. With that in mind, it is our great pleasure to support Down Royal Racecourse as it returns for the 2021 season and we look forward to joining them for what I’m sure will be a fantastic Grant Thornton Race Evening in September.”

Grant Thornton, which provides audit, tax and advisory services to organisations across all sectors, is located in 143 countries around the world with over 1,500 people in seven offices across Ireland, and 56,000 globally.

In Northern Ireland, the firm is headquartered in the DSW building opposite Belfast City Hall.