THE Orby Stakes, a mile-and-a-half listed contest which takes place on Irish Guineas weekend, is now sponsored by FBD Hotels & Resorts.

Last season, Joseph O’Brien’s Raise You ran out an impressive winner of the €40,000 contest, which commemorates Orby, the first Irish-trained horse to win both the Derby and Irish Derby in 1907. The race is open to three-year-olds and older and takes place on Irish 2000 Guineas day.

Commenting on the sponsorship, David Kelly, CEO FBD Hotels & Resorts said: “Since taking over the neighbouring Killashee Hotel outside Naas in 2022, having previously purchased another nearby hotel, The Heritage in Killenard, Co Laois in 2019, we are delighted to have this opportunity to come on board and partner with The Curragh and support this renowned race.

“Orby created a great legacy as a horse, and we hope that this sponsorship builds over the coming years to become equally iconic.”

In April 2022, Killashee Hotel became the sixth hotel in FBD Hotels & Resorts’ portfolio of luxury four-star and four-star superior hotels and resorts, joining The Heritage Hotel in Laois, Castleknock Hotel in Dublin, Faithlegg in Waterford, La Cala and Sunset Beach Club on the Costa del Sol in Spain, as part of one of Ireland’s leading hotel groups.

Over the past year Killashee has been transformed with completion of the first phase of the €5 million refurbishment plan.

FANCY becoming a brand ambassador for the iconic Galway Races? Now is your chance. Galway are looking for Galway Races Brand Ambassadors to represent their brand through use of social media, attending Galway Races VIP events, going behind the scenes at the Summer Festival, meeting the starts of Irish racing and interacting regularly with the official Galway social media channels.

Successful applicants will receive a special pack which includes a seven-day VIP style pass to the Summer Festival, a behind-the-scenes tour at the track, an opportunity to meet the stars of Irish racing and lots more. The deadline for applying is Friday, May 26th.

GALWAY also announced a new sponsor this week, with Kinlay Hostel the latest on a long list of local businesses to support the track.

The Kinlay Hostel Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden will take place on Sunday, August 6th, off the back of a two-year sponsorship deal.

Commenting on the agreement, Frank O’Connell, general manager with Kinlay Hostel, said: “We are delighted to work with and support the Galway Races. This festival is a very significant event for our guests given our location and our group accommodation options.

“We’re looking forward to the racing festival and the buzz that it brings to the city of Galway. There really is nothing else like it.”

HORSE Racing Ireland (HRI) has received the Company of the Year (small and medium enterprises) award at a special event last week in which Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, launched the ‘Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing’ index.

The index recognises the top 100 businesses of all sizes for their exceptional contribution to employees’ social, mental, and physical wellbeing.

HRI was one of six companies that received best-in-class awards for its performance in key areas of its KeepWell accreditations during the last year.

HRI have engaged with the KeepWell programme since 2020, with the aim of implementing new ideas and strategies to enhance wellbeing within the organisation. Carol Nolan, Director of People and Equuip at HRI, said HRI were delighted to receive the recognition and explained: “The process was driven by a team of employees from across each sector of HRI with strong support from senior management and it created an opportunity for HRI to merge our existing strategic focus of ‘Driving Excellence through People’ with the opportunity to create an environment that is supportive and inclusive, and positively impacts the wellbeing of all our employees and the wider horse racing and breeding industry.

“The recent enhancement of our Employee and Industry Assistance Programmes demonstrates our ongoing commitment to promoting and embedding a wellbeing ethos at HRI. The programmes provide HRI and industry employees with immediate help and support in managing whatever work or personal issues they may be facing.

“It also offers a wellbeing series which delivers high-quality, expert-led health and wellbeing events throughout the year.”