SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Ladbrokes has been announced as the new sponsor of the Welsh Champion Hurdle, which takes place at Ffos Las Racecourse on Saturday 21 October.
Revived by the West Wales racecourse in 2011, last year’s edition saw it shift from its traditional February schedule to a new October date, with a victory for Philip Hobb’s Garde La Victoire.
This year’s feature race is said to be worth £50,000, with the overall fixture worth over £120,000. Previous winners include Oscar Whiskey, Saphir Du Rheu and Silsol.
Ffos Las’ Director of Sales, Sarah Jones talked of her excitement at having Ladbrokes on board, saying: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Ladbrokes as headline sponsor of the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las.
“We’ve been really pleased with the feedback that we’ve had over the last year since moving the race to October and we hope that with the good prize money and Ladbrokes’ backing the race will continue to build as an early highlight of the jumps season.”
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes commented: “We are thrilled to be sponsoring Ffos Las’s most high-profile and popular meeting of the year, including the Ladbrokes Welsh Champion Hurdle.
“Horse Racing is a big part of Ladbrokes’ heritage and this sponsorship is further evidence of our ongoing commitment to the sport.”
Ladbrokes will sponsor the event alongside the ABF The Soldiers Charity, who will be the official charity partner for the occasion.
The race is open to horses aged three and over and run over a distance of two miles, with the full Ffos Las race card, including the Championship Hurdle, shown live on At The Races.
Gates open at 12.05pm, with the first race at 2.05pm and the last at 5.30pm. Live music and entertainment will be provided moving into the evening.
