BHP Insurances to sponsor Irish Champion Hurdle until 2015
BHP Insurance Brokers, based in Dublin, is one of the leading providers of insurance and financial planning services to the corporate sector and personal consumers.
Announcing the sponsorship at Leopardstown were Mark Phelan, Managing Director BHP, Tom Burke, General Manager Leopardstown Racecourse and jockey, Paul Carberry. In-form Carberry was keen to lend his support to the launch of a long-term sponsorship that demonstrates great confidence in the racing industry as a commercial platform for Irish businesses.
The race has been won in the last number of years by Solwhit, Brave Inca, Sizing Europe, Hardy Eustace (twice), Macs Joy, Foreman, Like-A-Butterfly, Ned Kelly, Istabraq (4 times) and great horses of the past associated with the race were Dawn Run, Captain Christy, L’Escargot and Flyingbolt.
Phelan said: “BHP is delighted to partner with Leopardstown in this wonderful opportunity to support Irish Horse Racing. The Champion Hurdle has an unrivalled pedigree and we are pleased to play a part in further building its status in the years ahead.”
Ciaran Conroy, Commercial Manager of Leopardstown Racecourse, commented: “We are delighted that Mark and his team have identified the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown as a wonderful commercial opportunity for BHP Insurance Brokers.
“BHP’s investment provides an excellent platform to create awareness and profile for their brand.”