18th June 2020
Curragh welcome new sponsor for Group 1 contest for the next three years.
The Curragh is delighted to announce that Al Wasmiyah Stud have agreed to sponsor the Pretty Polly Stakes from the next three years. The Group 1 contest takes place as the feature race on Sunday 28th June and will be titled the Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes.
The Stud is owned by Hamad Bin Ali Al Attiya and his family. It is managed by his sons Ali and Mohammed along with Director Olven Esmaeel. The stud is one of the leading owners and breeders based in Qatar with breeding and racing interests in England, Ireland, and France. They already have close links with Ireland having horses trained by Joseph O’Brien and they also have a number of mares in Ireland which reside at Kiltinan Castle Stud in County Tipperary.
Ali and Mohammed Al Attiya said,
" It is our pleasure to sponsor the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh and we look forward to establishing a long-lasting partnership between the Curragh and our stud. The sport has been a passion of ours for many years, from showjumping at an early age to involvement with racing/breeding across Europe and the Middle East. We aim to expand our passion with the main goal of breeding and owning classic winners around the world. We are, therefore proud to sponsor such an important race in a country renowned for its racing history and whilst there will be no crowds this year we will nonetheless with the help of the Curragh attempt to provide a great event for viewers, owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, and everyone else involved with the races. We would also like to thank Pat Keogh and Evan Arkwright for all their great work and Pierce Dargan for helping start our partnership with the Curragh. "
The Pretty Polly Stakes, first run in 1948, is named to honour the legendary race horse who won 22 races during her career including the Fillies Triple Crown in 1904. She is buried at Eyrefield Lodge Stud close to The Curragh.
Previous winners of the race have featured many of Europe’s top race mares including Minding, Misty for Me, Alexander Goldrun, Alborada, Flame of Tara and Dance Design, while multiple Group one winner Iridessa landed the race in 2019.
First entries for the race this year include English 1000 Guineas winner Love and Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas winner Peaceful, together with Magical, Magic Wand, Search for a Song, Terebellum and Albigna,
Pat Keogh, Chief Executive The Curragh, commented,
“It is a huge honour for the Curragh that the Al Attiya family have agreed to sponsor one of our most prestigious races and we look forward to working closely with them to develop the partnership over the next three years. Although the race will be run behind closed doors, it will receive extensive worldwide media coverage including live coverage by RTE, ITV4 and Racing TV”
For further information, please contact Evan Arkwright, Racing and Sponsorship Manager Tel 045 441205 email [email protected],