Punchestown racecourse is delighted to announce that Betfair are to sponsor both the Leading Trainer and Jockey Awards at this year's Irish National Hunt Festival. Betfair will generously present the winning most jockey and trainer with a cheque to the value of ?5,000 each.
This announcement is an expansion on Betfair's existing commitment to the Irish National Hunt Festival, where they have sponsored the Betfair.com Novice Handicap Steeplechase since 2003.
Betfair already have betting markets available on both awards and will be offering an in-play betting market on both throughout the Festival. Should Willie Mullins continue his recent purple patch he looks set to retain the leading trainer award for the sixth consecutive year. Meanwhile, Ruby Walsh has claimed the honours in his respective category seven times in the last ten years losing out only to Paul Carberry in 2002 and again three years later in 2005. Unsurprisingly, Mullins and Walsh dominate the early Betfair betting and are trading at 1/2 and 1/3 respectively.
On hearing the announcement Ruby Walsh, champion jockey commented that "The Betfair leading Trainer and Jockey Prize at the Punchestown Festival is far superior to that offered by any other track at any other Festival in Ireland or the UK. It is an excellent bonus to what is already a brilliant Festival of racing".
Graham Ross, Betfair's Irish Country Manager stated; "As part of our ongoing support of the Punchestown Festival and our longstanding commitment to Irish Racing, Betfair is delighted to sponsor the Leading Trainer & Jockey Awards at this year's Festival. We're looking forward to building on the success of these awards in previous years and generating even more public interest in the achievements of the top training and riding performers at the highlight of the Irish National Hunt season."
Dick O'Sullivan, General Manager Punchestown said "It is so encouraging to see such a significant industry figure such as Betfair not only sponsor a race at the Festival but also further enhance their support of Punchestown with their generous sponsorship of the Leading Trainer and Jockey Awards. This arrangement is an excellent fit for both parties and presents an opportunity to highlight this additional feature. The retained value of this award is sure to be very well received by all. We will keep all media and public up to date throughout the Festival with the on-course scoreboard and daily press releases".
