Tim Husbands of Leopardstown (centre) with Stephen Holst & Michelle Doyle of McCann FitzGerald
Leopardstown Racecourse has announced that McCann FitzGerald LLP, one of Ireland's premier and internationally recognised law firms, has become the new sponsor of the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle. The partnership was confirmed ahead of the highly anticipated Dublin Racing Festival which takes place on February 3rd and 4th.
The McCann FitzGerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle which has a prize fund of €150,000 is a prestigious race that showcases the finest juvenile horses starting their National Hunt career. Taking place on day one of the Festival, Saturday 3rd of February, this important race is usually contested by horses who go on to run in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and has been won in the past by stars such as Our Conor and Footpad, with Quilixios and Vauban claiming victory in more recent years.
This year’s contest promises to be just as competitive with the season’s leading four-year-old hurdler, Burdett Road, heading up a strong preliminary entry of 22 contenders. Trained in Newmarket by James Owen, Burdett Road is unbeaten in two jumping starts and could come up against Willie Mullins’ runaway Punchestown winner, Storm Heart, and his Limerick scorer, Bunting.
Gordon Elliott has entered his four-time winner, Wodhooh along with his dual-scorer, Kala Conti, a winner at Grade 2 level at Leopardstown last month. Another course and distance Christmas Festival winner in the among the potential runners is Joseph O'Brien’s, Intellotto.
McCann FitzGerald has a long association with the horseracing industry in Ireland having worked with many of the main stakeholders for many years.
"We are thrilled to welcome McCann FitzGerald LLP as the new sponsor of the Grade 1 McCann FitzGerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle," said Tim Husbands, CEO of Leopardstown.
"Their support will undoubtedly enhance the prestige and excitement of this highly anticipated race. We look forward to working closely with McCann FitzGerald to deliver an exceptional event for sporting enthusiasts."
The Dublin Racing Festival is a two-day event that brings together the best horses, jockeys, and trainers for an exhilarating weekend of top-class racing. The Grade 1 McCann FitzGerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle is always one of the highlights of the festival.
Commenting on the partnership, Stephen Holst, Managing Partner McCann FitzGerald LLP, added: “The Irish horse-racing industry is world renowned, a significant contributor to our economy and an important fabric of Irish society. The McCann FitzGerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with some of world’s best names in horse racing taking to the track on 3rd February. We are delighted to be working in partnership with Leopardstown to lend our support to the growth of this vibrant industry.”
