Tattersalls to sponsor Irish 2000 Guineas for next three years

Tattersalls graduate Power winning the 2012 Group 1 Irish 2,000 Guineas
Tattersalls graduate Power winning the 2012 Group 1 Irish 2,000 Guineas

The Curragh Racecourse today announced that Tattersalls is to sponsor the Irish 2000 Guineas for the next three years. Europe’s leading bloodstock sales company who sponsored the Group One Irish Classic for the first time this year, have agree to extend their association with the race from 2014 to 2016, with the option to continue for a further two years.

Taking place next year on Saturday 24th May, the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas is the first Group 1 race of the year in Ireland and the highlight on day one of the prestigious Guineas Spring Racing Festival.
 
The Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas is established as one of the great races for three year old colts in Europe with a long and illustrious list of previous winners since it’s inaugural running in 1921.  These include Rock of Gibraltar, Power, Dubawi Canford Cliffs, Mastercraftsman, Sadler’s Wells, Grundy, Barathea and Triptych, while the Aidan O’Brien trained Magician landed the race this year to give him and his son Joseph their third successive victory in the race.
 
Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said:
 
"Tattersalls has enjoyed Group 1 sponsorship at the Curragh for a very long time and the three year sponsorship of the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas and Tattersalls Gold Cup demonstrates our deep and long term commitment to Irish racing and breeding. The two races are amongst the great races in the European racing calendar and will be the highlights of the Tattersalls global sponsorship portfolio."
 
Europe’s leading bloodstock auctioneers will also continue to sponsor the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup taking place on Sunday 25th May. Tattersalls' sponsorship of the Gold Cup is now in its 30th year and is one of the longest continuous sponsorships in the Irish racing calendar. Previous recent winners of the race include Al Kazeem who won the race this year, So You Think, Hurricane Run, Montjeu, Duke of Marmalade and Daylami.
 
Paul Hensey, Curragh Racecourse General Manager commented:
 
“Tattersalls have been wonderful supporters of the Curragh and we are very grateful to them for their continued sponsorship. Their long term commitment will ensure we can work closely with their team to formulate a strategy to ensure we continue to attract the very best horses in Europe to compete in both races and to boost attendances over both days of the Festival.”