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Isle Of Skye 8 Years Old Blended Scotch
Whisky is the new sponsor of the
Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr
Racecourse - the richest hurdle race in
Scotland.
The £50,000 Grade 2 race is run on April
16, Coral Scottish Grand National
Saturday, and has been sponsored since
1997 by Samsung Electronics.
The sponsorship is the latest stage in
the brand development for Isle of Skye
by its owners, Ian Macleod Distillers,
which aims to raise the profile of the
award-winning Blended Scotch throughout
Scotland’s racecourses and beyond. As
well as being the official whisky
sponsor of the 2011 Scottish Racing
‘Trainers’ Championship’, Isle of Skye 8
Years Old Blended Scotch Whisky is the
official whisky partner at all five
Scottish racecourses - Ayr, Hamilton
Park, Kelso, Musselburgh and Perth. Isle
of Skye is also the proud sponsor of
Scotland’s number one National hunt
racehorse trainer, Lucinda Russell and
her team at Arlary House Stables.
Iain Weir, Marketing Director for Ian
Macleod Distillers, brand owners of Isle
of Skye commented: “We are delighted to
be supporting the Scottish Champion
Hurdle at Ayr Racecourse. This is one of
the most prestigious events in the
racing calendar, built on values of
tradition and excellence that sits very
well with Isle of Skye 8 Years Old
Blended Scotch Whisky.”
Alan Macdonald, Chairman of Ayr
Racecourse, said : “The Scottish
Champion Hurdle is one of the highlights
of the National hunt season, not only in
Scotland but in the UK. It has a great
history and I am delighted to welcome
Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky as
sponsors of the race.
“Isle of Skye is not only a leading
brand but also has a great association
with racing and I feel this is a great
fit. Everyone at Ayr Racecourse looks
forward to working with the team at Isle
of Skye to make this year's race one of
the best ever.”
The Scottish Champion Hurdle was first
run in 1966 when the winner was Blue
Venom. It was awarded Grade 2 status in
1991 and was run on the opening day of
the two day Scottish Grand National
meeting until 1994 when it moved to the
Saturday.
Previous winners include Cheltenham Gold
Cup winner Captain Christy in 1973,
Alderbrook in 1996 ( a year after
winning the Champion Hurdle at
Cheltenham ) and Martin Pipe's Granville
Again in 1992. Last year's winner was
the Donald McCain trained Overturn
ridden by Timmy Murphy.
Andy Turnell, Richard Dunwoody and Peter
Scudamore have each ridden three winners
of the race and Tony McCoy, Jamie
Osborne, Richard Johnson and Jonjo
O'Neill have all tasted victory in the
Scottish Champion Hurdle.
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