New sponsor for Leopardstown feature

Electronics company Toshiba have taken over from AIG as sponsors of Ireland’s biggest hurdle, to be run at Leopardstown on January 25.

An event which draws the cream of the crop and was won by the mighty Istabraq four years in a row, it will now be known as the Toshiba Irish Champion Hurdle, with a prize fund of €120,000.

Leopardstown manager Tom Burke said: “Toshiba is a very welcome sponsor for this prestigious race which always attracts the top hurdlers in training.

“I would like to pay special tribute to AIG Ireland and particularly managing director Sean Hehir for supporting this race for 16 years and helping to make it one of the highlights of the National Hunt Season.”

Martin O’Sullivan, managing director of Toshiba’s Irish distribution arm, added: “We have been strong supporters of horse racing in Ireland for many years now and it gives me great pleasure to be associated with this high-profile Grade One race in 2009.”