Ladbrokes Continue Midland Backing Ladbrokes has renewed its sponsorship of the Midlands National at Kilbeggan. Run on July 21st, this year´s €50,000 handicap chase will again be recognised as a trial for the Galway Plate, and last year´s attendance of 8,000 could well be surpassed.This year, Ladbrokes, the world´s leading bookmakers, celebrate 20 years of trading in Ireland and the Kilbeggan feature is part of a racing involvement that includes events at The Curragh, Fairyhouse, Killarney, Limerick, Tralee and Navan. The company is now the biggest bookmaker in Ireland with 165 shops and 180 outlets planned by the end of the year.'The tie up with Kilbeggan is especially pleasing,' says Joe Lewins, Ladbrokes General Manager, ' not only because of the prestige associated with the Midlands National but also because of its long National Hunt history - racing began there as far back as 1840.' Today, Kilbeggan is one of the more successful National Hunt racecourses in Ireland with attendances well over 50,000 last year and sponsorship exceeding €150,000.
