MCR Group are new sponsor for Pierse Hurdle Leopardstown Racecourse announced yesterday that MCR Group, the Irish owned specialist service group of companies who employ close on 800 people, will sponsor the January Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) (formerly the Pierse Hurdle) and the Leopardstown Novice Steeplechase (Grade 2), which will be run on January 10th 2010. The MCR Hurdle with a prize fund of €100,000 is always one of the most competitive handicap hurdles of the year. The race has a tradition of being one of the biggest betting races since the days it was sponsored by Ladbrokes and that carried through to years that the race carried the Pierse Hurdle title. Douglas Taylor, Managing Director of MCR Group said: “We have been strong supporters of horse racing in Ireland for many years now and it gives me great pleasure to be associated with these extremely high profile races in 2010.” Leopardstown Commercial Manager Ciaran Conroy said: “MCR are a very welcome sponsor for these prestigious races. I would like to pay special tribute to Pierse Contracting Ltd and particularly Chairman Ged Pierse for supporting this race over a long number of years and helping to make it one of the highlights of the National Hunt Season.”
