Boost to Perth Gold Cup after track signs new sponsor deal

Perth's Gold Cup a week on Sunday will be the richest race in the track's 405-year history, with the prize fund boosted by £10,000 to £40,000 thanks to new sponsor The Energy Check and a successful season-opening three-day festival in April.

The seven-race card, worth £106,000 in total and entries for which close on Monday, is also a record for the track.

Chief executiveHazel Peplinski said: “We've had a really solid start to the season, with our enhanced race programme receiving superb support from horsemen.

“That's given us early impetus so we've decided to pass on the exciting fresh investment from our new partners The Energy Check. The Energy Check City of Perth Gold Cup is now not just our most prestigious race of the season, it's the richest race in Perth’s history."

Handicapper appointment

Shay Quinn has been appointed deputy National Hunt handicapper by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.

Quinn joined the Turf Club in 2002 as a racing official and worked primarily as a stipendiary steward before taking over the handicapping role in an interim capacity in 2017.

He said: “l really enjoyed the last 15 years working as a stipendiary steward and am looking forward to this new challenge. It’s an area I’ve always taken interest in and a job I feel very comfortable doing.

"There’s a bittersweet feeling as I can’t help but think of my close friend Noel [O'Brien]. I hope I can do the job justice and to the standard Noel would have expected.”

O'Brien, who died in December, was succeeded as senior jumps handicapper by Sandy Shaw.