Boylesports are delighted to renew their association with the Curragh after a break of two years.
Ireland’s largest independent bookmaker will sponsor the Ladies Derby taking place on Sunday 30th June, Day 3 of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival, as well as the €100,000 Rockingham Handicap taking place on Sunday 21st July as part of the Darley Irish Oaks Weekend. Boylesports previously sponsored the Irish 1000 and 2000 Guineas from 2003 to 2009 and the National Stakes in 2010.
The Rockingham Handicap was first run in 1938 and has consistently been one of the most competitive sprint handicaps in the Irish racing calendar, attracting a lot of UK runners. This year for the first time, the 5 furlongs contest will carry record prize money of €100,000, while the Ladies Derby is now established as one of the premier races in Europe for lady riders.
Leon Blanche, Head of Communications at Boylesports, commented “Boylesports are delighted to have renewed their association with the Curragh Racecourse and look forward to an action packed flat season at Ireland’s racing headquarters.”
He added “The Rockingham Handicap is now one of Ireland’s leading premier handicaps ran over five furlongs and always attracts some of the best sprinters from both Ireland and the UK, whilst the Ladies Derby is the highlight for all female jockeys across Europe.”
Evan Arkwright, Commercial Manager of the Curragh Racecourse, commented, “We are delighted to have Boylesports back at the Curragh to be part of both our Derby and Oaks weekend.
He added “I am confident that their association will ensure that we can attract the best horses to compete in two of our most competitive races and raise the profile of both races with a strong betting market and incentives to customers of Boylesports to come to the races for what promises to be two excellent race days.”