Funding by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival should be reviewed, a local councillor has said. According to The Irish Times, the council made a payment of €30,000 towards the four-day festival in 2014 and, in 2013, the year of the Gathering, it gave the festival €50,000.

In response to a question by councillor Victor Boyhan (Ind), the council said the money was paid as a method of promoting tourism in the area for the Gathering Christmas Festival in 2013 and in accordance with the Local Government Act 2001 and Arts Act 2003. “The council also passed a resolution in February 2014 to approve payment of €30,000 towards the 2014 Christmas Festival.”

Boyhan said he was a great supporter of racing but added “It’s very hard to quantify the benefits or even justify this level of sponsorship – €30,000 would go a long way in helping local sports clubs with limited finances.”

Dundalk winner gone to Australia

RECENT Dundalk winner Tom Melbourne has been sold to continue his racing career in Australia. The Dylan Thomas gelding, just turned four, made a winning debut for trainer Andy Oliver in a maiden over an extended 10 furlongs on December 5th. The horse has been bought by OTI Racing and will be trained by Lee and Anthony Freedman. Tom Melbourne was given his name as his dam Roshanak is a half-sister to Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente.

Gillespie honoured

FORMER Cheltenham Racecourse boss Edward Gillespie has been awarded an OBE for his services to horseracing. The 62-year-old spent 32 years in charge of the racecourse before stepping down in 2012.

Toby’s race

THE late Toby Balding is to have the National Hunt Chase run in his honour at the 2015 Cheltenham Festival. The four-mile contest for novice chasers takes place on the first day of the meeting on March 10th. Balding, who died in September, aged 78, trained over 2,000 winners over jumps and on the flat and enjoyed 11 victories at the Festival.