Irish Flat Racing stars gather to launch Longines Irish Champions Weekend 2016
This week, the stars of the Irish Flat racing industry gathered to officially launch the annual Longines Irish Champions Weekend in UCD’s O’Reilly Hall, Dublin on Monday August 8th. The weekend, which takes place on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September, is the first leg of a European Triple Crown of championship meetings leading into the QATAR Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting at Longchamp in early October and QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot two weeks later.
The unique racing event sees two of Ireland’s premier racecourses, Leopardstown and The Curragh join forces to stage the highest concentration of quality Flat racing in Ireland. The event features 10 Group races, including five Group 1s, with two iconic feature races – the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes and the Palmerstown House Estate Irish St. Leger. The increased prize-fund for the weekend totals €4.5 million, to be won across 16 races.
Distinguished guests at the launch reception included Jessica and Ronan O’Gara, unveiled as this year’s Longines Irish Champions Weekend Style and Sport Ambassadors. The O’Garas were joined by many leading players from the Irish racing industry including Chairman of Horse Racing Ireland, Joe Keeling, Aidan and Annemarie O’Brien and family, Jim and Jackie Bolger, Mark and Zoe Weld, Johnny and Orla Murtagh, Noel and Derville Meade, Willie and Jackie Mullins, as well as Jessica and Kate Harrington and jockey Chris Hayes. Other guests on the night included Irish designer Louise Kennedy, one of the weekend’s Fashion Partners; rugby international Sean O’Brien; milliner Martha Lynn and TV presenter Jenny Buckley.
Ronan O’Gara, Sport Ambassador for Longines Irish Champions Weekend, commented: 'Sport at this level is particularly exhilarating so it is a pleasure for me to be the Sport Ambassador this year for Longines Irish Champions Weekend. Everyone knows that I love the sport of racing so to travel home to Ireland with Jessica for the weekend will be very special.'
Jessica O’Gara, Style Ambassador for Longines Irish Champions Weekend, said: 'Horse racing in Ireland is always a really enjoyable experience and is especially a great occasion to dress elegantly, and to feel good and confident. I have loved horses from a young age so I am delighted to be the Style Ambassador for this year's Longines Irish Champions Weekend. I am looking forward to seeing all the style and elegance on show in September.'
Racing Commentator Brendan McArdle chaired a lively panel discussion on the evening with a line-up that included Sport Ambassador Ronan O’Gara, trainer Johnny Murtagh and jockey Chris Hayes. The discussion championed the success of Irish racing at home and abroad, with special recognition for the growing success of Longines Irish Champions Weekend.
The coveted Longines Prize for Elegance competition will once again run across the weekend of September 10th and 11th, and will be open to all styles and racegoers. Fashion enthusiasts will have the chance to showcase their style credentials in the hope of winning some of the €25,000 in prizes on offer, including the overall Longines Prize for Elegance.
The prizes, including shopping experiences from Louise Kennedy, Louis Copeland and Kildare Village as well as a luxury stay at Dublin’s best address, The Merrion hotel, will be awarded to the most elegant female and male racegoer at Leopardstown and the Curragh. Title sponsor, Longines, will also gift the winners each day with an elegant timepiece from their latest collection. To pre-register simply log on to www.irishchampionsweekend.ie.
For more information please log on to www.irishchampionsweekend.ie
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For further information please contact:
Denise Sheridan, Kennedy PR + Brand | dsheridan@kennedyprandbrand.ie
087 7905442/01 476 2000