End of an era as Grade 1 Cheltenham Festival race changes name for 2024

9 months ago 77

CHELTENHAM Festival punters will be met with two big changes to the second day of this year’s meeting.

The opening Grade 1 race formerly known as the Ballymore will now be called the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle after a sponsorship deal was struck.

And the traditional ‘Ladies’ Day’ title has also been scrapped in favour of the new ‘Style Wednesday’.

The 2m5f contest has been referred to as the Baring Bingham in the run-up to this year’s Festival.

It reverted back to its original name – in honour of the property developer who organised the first Festival in 1902 – after multi-millionaire property tycoon Sean Mulryan pulled out.

The boss of the Ballymore construction group, who sponsored the race since 2018, wanted to focus on smaller scale events instead.

The Jockey Club announced Gallagher – a global insurance brokerage and risk management firm – as the new sponsor in a statement.

Acting Director of Partnerships at The Jockey Club, Matt Powell said: “Gallagher has been instrumental in expanding the Junior and Youth experience days which are a hugely important part of our joint efforts to engage communities that the sport doesn’t traditionally reach.

“We are excited to see our partnership grow with the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle opening the card on Style Wednesday.”

While Sophie Chambers, Managing Director of Gallagher’s bloodstock practice, said: “We are thrilled to be expanding our relationship with The Jockey Club by sponsoring the Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival later this month.

“Our partnership has made real progress in our aim to expand the sport to more young people and this is the natural next step.

“Horse racing is a fantastic sport and we want to encourage more youngsters who traditionally would not consider this a career choice to consider coming into the racing and thoroughbred industry.

“There are hugely diverse roles available, beyond just the jockeys we see on the racecourses, all offering great future progression.

“We hope our series of experience days will open youngsters’ eyes to the opportunities.”

A host of big names have won the novices’ hurdle contest in recent years.

Impaire Et Passe gave Willie Mullins a record-extending sixth win in the race last year.

Sir Gerhard, Bob Olinger and Envoi Allen are among the star names in recent years to have been added to the roll of honour.

While true legends such as Istabraq and Faugheen have also claimed it in the past.