Ladbrokes Festival of Racing
The Association of Irish Racecourses is delighted to feature Down Royal Racecourse in this week’s column. The track has plenty to share with you all as betting giant Ladbrokes reaffirms investment as headline sponsor, while Bottlegreen raises a glass as sponsor of the Best Dressed Lady Competition at the annual Ladbrokes Festival of Racing.
On Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th November, the Ladbrokes Festival of Racing will see Ladbrokes return for the 5th year as the headline sponsor. The festival promises runners and riders from the UK, Ireland and beyond competing at the premier racecourse, with a host of complimentary entertainment available on both days.
Racing fans are getting their betting slips ready for the Bottlegreen Grade 3 Hurdle on Friday 3rd and the Ladbrokes Grade 1 Champion Chase on Saturday 4th. The long-established programme of racing has an esteemed list of celebrated past runners, including great chasers such as, Kauto Star, Beef or Salmon, The Listener, Looks Like Trouble, Florida Pearl and Don Cossack. And with a total prize fund over the two days of €425,000, the title races are sure to lure a strong field on both days.
Emma Meehan, CEO at Down Royal commented, “The Ladbrokes Festival is the pinnacle of our calendar of racing and our opportunity to have the best trainers, horses and jockeys in the sport of national hunt racing at Down Royal. Last year’s Ladbrokes Grade 1 Champion Chase saw Grand National and Gold Cup winning jockey Rachael Blackmore ride Envoi Allen to victory in a thrilling finish. We’re looking forward to more top-class racing this time around.”
Nicola McGeady, Ladbrokes Head of PR added, “Ladbrokes is once again proud to be partnering with Down Royal as a demonstration of our commitment to the racing industry. We are looking forward to what we see as a fantastic racing and social event of the year and can’t wait to see what this year’s exciting contests have on offer.”
Best Dressed Lady
Down Royal’s ‘Best Dressed Lady’ Competition sponsored for the first time by premium soft drinks brand Bottlegreen. This year’s winner will receive the ultimate ‘Shop, Stay and Spa’ weekend experience. The package includes a luxurious overnight stay for two at the Culloden Estate & Spa including breakfast, a 50-minute ESPA spa treatment, a bottle of champagne and an eight-course tasting menu with accompanying wine pairings.
The winner will then treat themselves to a shopping spree at Victoria Square with a personal shopping experience including a complimentary colour consultation, and a voucher worth £1,000, all just in time for the Christmas festivities. The top ten finalists will also receive Bottlegreen goodie bags worth £50 each.
The judging panel for the competition will include Cool FM presenter and fashion enthusiast Rebecca McKinney and 2023 Miss Northern Ireland winner Kaitlyn Clarke.
Sarah Lawson, Head of Marketing at Bottlegreen Drinks who will join the judging panel commented, “We’re delighted to be sponsoring this year’s Best Dressed Lady competition and to be partnering with a premium brand which aligns perfectly with the Bottlegreen experience. If you’re seeking a ‘girls-day-out’ like no other, we would encourage you to come and soak up the atmosphere of Ladies Day at Down Royal with Bottlegreen and who knows, you could be in line for the big prize!”
The Association of Irish Racecourses wishes Emma Meehan and all the team at Down Royal Racecourse the very best of luck with the Ladbrokes Festival of Racing. Gates open at 11am. For full details or to book tickets please visit downroyal.com.
