Curragh snap up new sponsors for Irish Oaks and Pretty Polly

The Curragh have announced new sponsors for two of their biggest summer events with the Irish Oaks set to be sponsored by Juddmonte and Al Wasmiyah Stud announced as the new sponsors of the Pretty Polly.

The move sees Kerrygold's backing of the fillies' Classic cease after one season, with a reduced prize fund of €250,000 for 2020, having been worth €400,000 last year.

The Irish Oaks, won by the magnificent Enable in 2017, will take place on July 18, and Curragh chief executive Pat Keogh admitted that it was a terrific boost to have Juddmonte come on board as a Classic sponsor during such extraordinary times.

Keogh said: "We are very grateful to His Highness Prince Khalid and the team at Juddmonte for their generous support of the Curragh. These are very challenging times for all of us and having a great name like Juddmonte sponsoring the Irish Oaks is a great vote of confidence for Irish racing."

Al Wasmiyah Stud, owned by Hamad Bin Ali Al Attiya and his family, have agreed to sponsor the Pretty Polly Stakes for the next three years with the Group 1 contest taking place on Sunday week.

The new sponsors are one of the leading owners and breeders in Qatar and also have thoroughbred interests in England, Ireland and France.

Iridessa: won the Pretty Polly Stakes in 2019 under Wayne LordanCredit: Patrick McCann

Ali and Mohammed Al Attiya said: "It is our pleasure to sponsor the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh and we look forward to establishing a long-lasting partnership between the Curragh and our Stud.

"The sport has been a passion of ours for many years, from show jumping at an early age to involvement with racing and breeding across Europe and the Middle East. We aim to expand our passion with the main goal of breeding and owning Classic winners around the world."

The Pretty Polly Stakes was worth €300,000 last year when Breeders' Cup heroine Iridessa prevailed for Joseph O'Brien, who has trained for Al Wasmiyah Stud, but this year it will be run for €200,000.

Of the new Al Wasmiyah Stud sponsorship, Keogh added: "Although the race will be run behind closed doors, it will receive extensive worldwide media coverage including live coverage by RTE, ITV4 and Racing TV."

Did you know you can bet via the Racing Post mobile app/website? Simply sign in with your favourite bookmaker via the Accounts button and then bet direct from our racecards