BHP Insurances to sponsor Irish Champion Hurdle until 2015 BHP Insurances Ltd and Leopardstown Racecourse today announced a new five year deal which will see the 100% Irish owned Insurance Company sponsor the Irish Champion Hurdle until 2015. BHP takes over sponsorship of the prestigious race from Toshiba which was associated with the event for just two years. Mark Phelan, Managing Director BHP said: “BHP is delighted to partner with Leopardstown in this wonderful opportunity to support Irish Horse Racing. The Champion Hurdle has an unrivalled pedigree and we are delighted to play a part in further building its status in the years ahead.” Recent winners of the race include Solwhit (2009), Brave Inca, Hardy Eustace(twice), Sizing Europe and Istabraq (4 times). Further back the race was won by the likes of Dawn Run (1984), L'escargot (1969) and Flying Bolt (1964).
