The Curragh will stage the first of their 23 race days this Saturday as the 2022 Irish flat racing season gets underway.
The racecourse completed a major redevelopment of the venue in 2019 but has raced primarily behind closed doors during the pandemic
The return of crowds has enabled the racecourse to drive a major increase in sponsorship for their 2022 season which has ensured record prize money for the year.
The Dubai Duty Free sponsored Irish Derby remains as the most valuable race offering €1 million in total prize money, while the other four Irish Classic races sponsored by Tattersalls, Comer Group International and Juddmonte Farms will all be worth €500,000.
Dubai Duty Free withdrew from its partnership with the Irish Open this year but has maintained a relationship with the Curragh that now extends back over 15 years to the first running of the race under their name in 2008.
A number of category partnerships have been introduced this year. These include Hotel partners Barberstown Castle, FBD Hotels and Resorts and the Westgrove Hotel, and betting partnerships with Paddy Power, Sky Bet, Fitzsdares, The Tote, AK Bets, Hollywoodbets and William Hill.
Partnerships have also been agreed with Longines (Time), DMG Media (Media), Diageo (Beer), Tipperary Crystal (Trophies and Gifts), Taittinger (Champagne) and Lavazza (Coffee).
The Curragh is also introducing a new partnership with Expressway to provide a direct bus service from Dublin City Centre, while they are also working with a local transport supplier to provide a free local bus service sponsored by leading security company Manguard Plus.
Long-standing sponsors returning this year include Kildare Village, Sherry Fitzgerald Country Homes, Finlay Volvo and Bord Na Mona.
“We are delighted to be able to plan a full season of racing with no restrictions following two very challenging years,” said Racing and Sponsorship Manager Evan Arkwright.
“Our sponsors have been very loyal to us and although there were many benefits we were unable to deliver to them during the pandemic, we managed to elevate our engagement with them through additional media coverage and activity on our social channels.”
“We are in a good positive position regarding our sponsorship portfolio this year with ten of our eleven Group 1 races fully sponsored with only the Flying Five Stakes taking place on Longines Irish Champions Weekend currently without a title sponsor.”
“In addition, we are also looking to source new partners to enhance the style and entertainment elements of our race days to boost our social audience.”
The Curragh has also recently launched a “Behind The Scenes” tour in conjunction with the new ‘Thoroughbred Country’ initiative supported by Failte Ireland.
Saturday will be the first opening day fixture in charge for the Curragh Racecourse Manager Brian Kavanagh since taking up the role in 2021.
