BHP Insurances launched the fifth year of its sponsorship of the €110,000 BHP Insurances Irish Champion Hurdle yesterday and attracted a strong panel of racehorse trainers and jockeys to celebrate the race taking place at Leopardstown this Sunday.
Each renewal under the BHP banner has been won by Hurricane Fly who doubled up at the Cheltenham Festival in 2011 and 2013. He will be back again on Sunday bidding to extend his world record total of Grade One wins to 22.
“I hope it will be a good race on Sunday – Hurricane Fly is a small but a very strong horse with a big heart and he doesn’t like to lose; winning is part of his make-up and he’s very determined,” said trainer Willie Mullins at the launch.
The race was sponsored from 1993 to 2008 by AIG who have since gone on to become major sponsors within the GAA and Golf. In 2009 and 2010 it was supported by Toshiba.
BHP Insurances also host a charity lunch in the Leopardstown Pavilion as part of their support for the race. This has grown in popularity over the five years and is now pitched for by charities as an important part of the fundraising calendar.
This year’s event will benefit NCBI, the national sight loss organisation.
“Once again we are delighted to be sponsoring this tremendous race which has provided thrilling racing year after year,” said Mark Phelan, Managing Director of BHP Insurances.
