William Hill new title sponsor of Punchestown Festival’s opening day highlight

Leading bookmaker William Hill are the new title sponsor on the Punchestown Festival’s opening day as a major three-year deal is today announced.

The famous €250,000 Grade 1 feature, now known as the William Hill Champion Chase, has hosted some of the most memorable battles staged at the home of Irish jump racing. Of all the Grade 1 features at the Punchestown Festival, the William Hill Champion Chase trophy has gained the most air miles with British trainers Colin Tizzard, Tom George, Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls and Philip Hobbs among the role of honour.

Perhaps one of the most memorable renewals was Sprinter Sacre’s win over Sizing Europe in 2013, an occasion that broke attendance records for the festival’s opening day. The Willie Mullins trained Un De Sceaux has landed the last two runnings of the famous speed test, and as entries are revealed on Monday 12th April, we will learn contenders for the 2021 running of the €250,000 William Hill Champion Chase.

William Hill Ambassador, Sir AP McCoy, said: “I loved coming across to Punchestown. It is a brilliant meeting and I always enjoyed taking on the best of the Irish horses at one of Ireland’s feature festivals. As an ambassador for William Hill, I’m delighted that they will be sponsors of the Champion Chase for the next three years. It’s an extremely exciting partnership.”

Conor O’Neill, Punchestown CEO, welcomed the announcement: “William Hill have shown their commitment to both Punchestown and Irish racing with this major three-year deal. The William Hill Champion Chase is a jewel in the crown of the racing calendar. You only have to look at the illustrious roll of honour to see the quality of the race, so it is befitting to have such a high profile and reputable brand as William Hill sponsoring. This is year one, and we look forward to working with the William Hill team to develop the partnership further as crowds return to Punchestown for future festivals.

The 2021 Punchestown Festival gets underway on Tuesday 27th April and runs until Saturday 1st May. The William Hill Champion Chase is the feature race on the opening day.