Matchbook to sponsor new Grade 1 at Limerick Cork-based Matchbook Betting Exchange has been announced as the new sponsor of Limerick’s big novice chase on St Stephen’s Day. Upgraded this year to Grade One status, the race will be run as the Matchbook Betting Exchange Novice Chase, as part of a three-year agreement. The race is the feature on the opening day of the Mr Binman Christmas Racing Festival, and has been won by the likes of Sir Des Champs, Gilgamboa, Outlander and Bellshill in recent years. Run over an extended two miles and three a half furlongs, the contest will be shown live on RTE television. Patrick O’Callaghan, general manager of Limerick, said: “We are delighted to welcome Matchbook Betting Exchange to Limerick Racecourse as sponsor of the Matchbook Betting Exchange Grade One Novice Chase for the next three years. “Thanks to their very generous support we will be increasing the prize fund to €100,000 which will make it one of the most valuable races run in Ireland on the day. “We look forward to working with the Matchbook team and making this a very successful partnership over the coming years.” Mark Brosnan, CEO of Matchbook, said: “We are delighted to further expand our sponsorship portfolio in Ireland with this high-quality Grade One Novice Chase at Limerick. “It is important to us that our sponsorship makes a difference and we are thrilled that our contribution to the prize fund brings it up to €100,000. “The partnership is made extra special being Limerick’s first ever Grade One race and this three-year partnership further demonstrates Matchbook’s commitment to the horse racing industry.”
