BoyleSports and Limerick Racecourse has announced a new partnership which will see the bookmaker become sponsor of the prestigious Munster National at Greenmount Park.

Under the new five-year agreement, BoyleSports will be Title Sponsor of the two-day October racing festival which features the Munster National, up until 2028.  

First staged in 2001 during Limerick Racecourse’s inaugural year, the Munster National has attracted the highest calibre of staying chasers, with Tiger Roll among the significant names to have won the €100,000 prize. 

In addition to BoyleSports coming on board as sponsor, JP and Noreen McManus and family will team up with the BoyleSports Munster National and Limerick Racecourse by hosting a charity sweepstake that will see charities from the Mid-West region receive up to €40,000.

Under the initiative, local charities will have the opportunity to enter the JP McManus Charity Sweepstake via limerickraces.ie or via email at info@limerickraces.ie.  Each of the lucky charities drawn will be matched to a horse in the BoyleSports Munster National.

The charity matched to the winning horse will benefit from a €20,000 donation, with second and third place receiving €3,000 and €2,000 respectively. Each of the remaining charities will also receive a €1,000 donation to put towards a specific project or initiative.

Sharon McHugh, Head of PR & Sponsorship at BoyleSports, said: “We are delighted to partner with Limerick Racecourse and continue our commitment to supporting Irish racing. The Munster National is a tried and tested route for horses to the BoyleSports Irish Grand National in April, so it holds a significant place in the Irish racing calendar. 

“We are also thrilled that JP and Noreen McManus have committed to hosting such a wonderful initiative for local charities and continue their significant support of Irish racing. This sweepstake will see a number of charities in the Mid-West benefit and will also raise the profile of the BoyleSports Munster National.”  

Michael Lynch, C.E.O. of Limerick Racecourse, said: “As sponsor of the Irish Grand National and many Irish race meetings, BoyleSports is a huge supporter of Irish racing so we’re extremely happy to be partnering with a brand that is committed to championing Irish racing and helping us build on the success that Limerick Races has enjoyed to date.

“We are planning many other elements and entertainment to ensure each day of the weekend is a proper day out for attendees. 

“We are also delighted that JP McManus proposed the charity sweepstake to us and we are looking forward to working with John Kiely on this initiative which we are sure will heighten excitement both in advance and on Sunday, October 20, the date of the Munster National race itself.” 

Speaking about the charity sweepstake, JP McManus said: “I am delighted that we have this opportunity through the sweepstake to support the very many charity and community organisations who do so much in our community here in the Mid-West. 

“I am very grateful to BoyleSports and Limerick Racecourse who have agreed to the sweepstake taking place in conjunction with the BoyleSports JT McNamara Munster National. I am looking forward to what promises to be a very exciting and enjoyable meeting.”