Students enjoying the racing at Limerick earlier this year© Photo Healy Racing
Leopardstown and the Curragh today announced an exciting new partnership with Godolphin, the global racing stable founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The partnership means that students will be given free entry to both racecourses on Longines Irish Champions Weekend (must register, see below), a two-day festival which features the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes and the Palmerstown House Estate Irish St. Leger back-to-back on September 12th and 13th at Leopardstown and the Curragh respectively.
In addition to receiving complimentary admission to the weekend's racing, Godolphin will invite 100 students to participate in exclusive tours on Saturday and Sunday morning before racing.
The visits will consist of a private tour of Kildangan Stud, including yearling and stallion parades followed by a talk from Kildangan Stud Managing Director and Godolphin representative in Ireland, Joe Osborne. On each raceday the 50 participants will also receive hospitality at the racecourses.
There will also be a special prize open to all who participate in the tours. Two winners will be selected by competition to receive a trip of a lifetime to Dubai including three nights' accommodation. The itinerary will include cultural and racing experiences.
Commenting on the importance of the partnership, Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Horse Racing Ireland, said: "This initiative builds on Horse Racing Ireland's strategy for student involvement in horseracing and we warmly welcome Godolphin's sponsorship of this great initiative.
"It further enhances what will be an extraordinary weekend of racing and provides a wonderful opportunity to participate in a very enjoyable trip with a business dimension that will appeal to any ambitious student with an interest in the racing industry."
Speaking in support of the partnership, Joe Osborne, Kildangan Stud Managing Director and Godolphin representative in Ireland, said: "Godolphin is delighted to be entering into this partnership with Horse Racing Ireland, for Longines Irish Champions Weekend, showcasing Ireland's two premier racecourses, namely the Curragh and Leopardstown racecourses.
"We hope our partnership will help to attract a new generation of fans to our wonderful sport, as we offer a unique opportunity to see some of the top names in horse racing battle it out at Leopardstown and the Curragh."
For further information please visit: http://www.irishchampionsweekend.ie. To avail of this offer, students must register online at www.irishchampionsweekend.ie before Tuesday 8th September.
