The Curragh Racecourse has announced on Tuesday that Tattersalls has agreed to renew its sponsorship of three Group One races - the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas, the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas, and the Tattersalls Gold Cup - for a further three years from 2023 to 2025.
The Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival takes place over three days from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th May this year, with the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas on the Saturday and the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas and the Tattersalls Gold Cup on the Sunday.
The Classc races will have prize money of €500,000 each while the Tattersalls Gold Cup will increase in value to €450,000. The Group One contest was one of the highest rated middle-distance races run in Europe last year, following the victory of Alenquer from High Definition, State of Rest and Lord North in a thrilling finish.
Edmond Mahony, Chairman of Tattersalls, said: “The Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival is one of the premier fixtures in the Irish racing calendar as well as in the wider European Flat racing scene and we are proud to have the Tattersalls name associated with such an important weekend and, more specifically, with three of Ireland's most prestigious races. We are already looking forward to the 2023 Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival and to working with The Curragh Racecourse for the next three years of this flagship agreement."
Homeless Songs runs out a brilliant winner of last year's Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas
Tattersalls graduate Native Trial was an impressive winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas last year, while Homeless Songs was a hugely popular winner of the 1000 Guineas for Moyglare Stud, Dermot Weld and Chris Hayes.
The first entry stage for both Classics has already closed and feature some of the highest rated two-year-olds from last year. Little Big Bear, Auguste Rodin, Chaldean, Noble Style, Al Riffa, Victoria Road, The Foxes, Crypto Force and Proud and Regal are among the entries for the Irish 2000 Guineas, while Tahiyra, Meditate, Statuette, Mawj, Fairy Cross, Never Ending Story, Madly Truly, Zarinsk and Treasure Trove feature among the contenders in the Irish 1000 Guineas.
Curragh CEO Brian Kavanagh said: “Tattersalls are a long and valued supporter of Irish racing and in particular the Curragh. They are a pleasure to work with and today’s announcement of a three-year extension of their sponsorship of three of our most important Group 1 races is very welcome news. The 2022 renewals of these races each provided great stories and we look forward to working with Tattersalls to further grow and develop the races over the coming years.”
Tattersalls has also agreed to renew their support of facilities for owners and trainers, with the aim of working closely with the racecourse to enhance the raceday experience for all owners with a runner at the Curragh.