LEOPARDSTOWN has aquired a new sponsor in these tough times. Dornan Engineering has cemented a three-year partnership with the track and will sponsor one of feature races of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.

The Grade 1, three-mile hurdle, run on Tuesday, December 28th will be known as the the Dornan Engineering Christmas Hurdle.

A relatively new race to the traditional four-day Christmas Festival, originating in 1996, the Grade 1 hurdle has showcased popular horses such as Limestone Lad, Bannow Boy, Vroum Vroum Mag and most recently three-time winner, Apple’s Jade, who have their names on the winners’ roll of honour in this feature staying hurdle. The 2020 renewal was won by the Gavin Cromwell trained Flooring Porter.

Robert Acheson of Dornan Engineering, said: “Dornan is proud to sponsor this year’s renewal of the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.

“The race always provides key indicators towards the spring festivals, with last year’s winner, Flooring Porter, going on to win the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.”