Coolmore sponsors new Leopardstown Group One

Leopardstown racecourse has announced that Coolmore Stud will sponsor the Matron Stakes, elevated to Group One status for the first time this year.

The race, to be run as the principal supporting event on Baileys Irish Champion Stakes with a prize fund of €260,000, will be known as the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes, named after the 2000 Kentucky Derby winner.

British-trained horses have won three of the last four runnings of the race, the exception being the 2002 winner Dress to Thrill, trained by Dermot Weld.

Last year’s impressive winner Favourable Terms, trained by Michael Stoute, added the Group Two Windsor Forest Stakes at Ascot to her tally last week.

Leopardstown’s general manager, Matt O’Dwyer said: “The upgrading of the Matron Stakes to Group One status has consolidated the position of the Champion Stakes card as one of Europe’s leading racedays.

“We are delighted now to welcome a company as prestigious as Coolmore as a sponsor at Leopardstown.”