Patrick Ward & Company Solicitors announced as sponsors of the Irish Arkle

Leopardstown Racecourse are delighted to announce that Dublin based solicitors Patrick Ward & Company are the new sponsors of the Grade 1 Irish Arkle Novice Chase on Saturday 6th February, a race which is part of Dublin Racing Festival Weekend.

Patrick Ward & Company Solicitors have a long association with Leopardstown and the Irish Arkle, the Ward family name graced the Irish Arkle for the first time in 2010 with victory going to the Henry de Bromhead-trained An Cathaoir Mor, and during a ten year partnership produced magnificent winners such as Flemenstar, Un De Sceaux and Douvan.

One of the feature events on the opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival, the Patrick Ward & Company Solicitors Irish Arkle Novice Chase was first run as a Grade 1 event in 2002, with subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kicking King being successful for trainer Tom Taaffe and Barry Geraghty just two years later.

This new, but familiar partnership, is welcomed by Patrick Ward, Principal of Patrick Ward & Company Solicitors who said:

“My family and I are delighted to continue the long association that we have had with the Irish Arkle Novice Chase.

"We have very fond memories of many great racing days over all the years the late Frank sponsored the race. The racing was always followed by great fun and a sing song till we wore our welcome out!

"Whilst this year will of course be different, Leopardstown Racecourse have organised a fantastic feast of racing over the weekend and I hope it brings the country some much needed excitement and entertainment.

"Thank you to Leopardstown Racecourse, the staff in Patrick Ward & Co. and to all our friends & clients. We are delighted to once again have the Ward family name on the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown. Anyway, overall the long and short of it is, lets enjoy some quality racing!”

Tim Husbands CEO of Leopardstown said: “The association of the Ward family and the Irish Arkle go hand in hand, we are delighted that Patrick is to continue this partnership with Leopardstown.

"Many will remember the late Frank Ward, Patrick’s father who was a great supporter of Irish Racing and a good friend to Leopardstown, he owned many horses over the years and served on the board of Leopardstown and the Tote. We are delighted that Patrick is to continue the family partnership with Leopardstown.

"The Patrick Ward & Company Irish Arkle Novice Chase has attracted a superb entry, from all the leading yards and we expect another thrilling renewal of the race.”