Horse racing’s natural home in Ireland is in County Kildare and two racecourses within the county have announced major deals this week with prize money amounting to €400,000

The Curragh Racecourse has embarked on an ambitious two year development plan that will see it become a world centre of excellence in terms of the racing experience but the show carries on in the meantime and the Tattersalls Gold Cup will be worth €300,000 in total prize money when the Group One contest is staged on Sunday 28th May this year.

This represents a 20% increase on the 2016 Prize money which was at €250,000.

“We are very grateful to Tattersalls for their continued commitment to the Curragh and the boost in prize money will ensure we maximise the opportunity to attract the top middle distance horses in Europe,” said Curragh CEO Derek McGrath.

“Based on official ratings, the Tattersalls Gold Cup was the second best flat race run in Ireland last year and the €50,000 increase in prize money reflects the global stature of the race,” added Edmund Mahoney, Chairman of Tattersalls.

“Tattersalls Irish Guineas weekend is amongst the highlights of the European racing calendar and we are proud to have been sponsoring the Tattersalls Gold Cup for more than 30 years.”

Just up the M7 at Naas, there was more financial celebration with the news that Ladbrokes Exchange is coming on board as the new sponsor of the  €100,000 Leinster National, the richest ever steeplechase to be run at the track.

It is not the most subtle of sponsorship titles but the Download the Ladbrokes Exchange App Leinster National will take place on Sunday 12th March and is part of the national hunt finale meeting at the track as well asa last chance for Irish fans to gather before heading for Cheltenham.

“Ladbrokes Exchange are delighted to be involved with Irish racing and Naas Racecourse in particular,” said Sarah Doherty, Product Manager for Ladbrokes Exchange.

“The Leinster National is a proven trial for the Irish Grand National but is also an excellent race in its own right and we are looking forward to another exciting renewal.”​