HORSE Racing Ireland yesterday announced that Davy Russell is to be HRI’s National Hunt ambassador for the 2011/12 season, following in the footsteps of champion trainer, Willie Mullins, and jockey, Barry Geraghty.

After 14 years at the top of his game, Ballydoyle’s number one rider Johnny Murtagh has teamed up with Horse Racing Ireland to become their Flat ambassador for the 2009 season.

A NEW race has been unveiled at Leopardstown — it is called the Recession Hurdle.

SATURDAY may have been Ladies Day at this year’s Curragh racing festival but it was yesterday’s Budweiser Derby that drew the seriously stylish in their droves.