Mascot Race at Leopardstown Racecourse aims to raise funds for charities

Call for Company Mascots to ‘Go Head to Head with Mr. Ted’ at the Christmas Festival

The Leopardstown Christmas festival will host a Charity Mascot race in aid of charities on 29th December (Official Festival Family Day) with over 10,000 patrons expected to attend.  Race sponsor, Top Oil is calling on Irish companies and charities to get involved in the Top Oil Charity Mascot Race to raise much-needed funds for charities at Christmas time.


The charity fun initiative will see the Top Oil Mascot, Mr. Ted race against other company mascots including Hercules (who races in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund) on the famous Leopardstown track. The aim is to help raise awareness and donations for Irish charities. Each company/charity who participates in the mascot race will represent their chosen charity.  Entrants to the race must donate €500 to the prize fund and compete for the prize money with a company mascot or designated character. Registered charities can also approach a company to ask them to represent their charity.

Before the Mascot race, collection points will be on display in the enclosure outside the Marquee to raise additional funds for the participating charities throughout the day. The winner of the 100 metre race will receive the total prize fund to give to their charity and the title of the Top Oil Mascot Race Winner 2016.

Gerard Boylan, Chief Executive of Top Oil, said; “Top Oil is delighted to help raise vital funds for worthy charities this Christmas with the Top Oil Mascot Charity Race at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. It’s important that Irish companies do what they can to support charities, especially at Christmas time. We are calling on any company with a mascot or even those that don’t and just want to be involved, to sign up for the Top Oil Mascot Race and compete to win a significant prize fund for their chosen charity.”

Pat Keogh, CEO of Leopardstown Racecourse said; “We are delighted that Top Oil is running this charity mascot race on our official family day of the Christmas Festival on the 29th December – The mascots will parade around the parade ring in advance of their race and we have built special jumps hurdles for them as they race each other on the track - it’s a fun and unique way to raise money for your chosen charity.”

If your company is interested in participating in this fun challenge on behalf of a charity, please contact the Top Oil team through its website: www.top.ie.

About The Christmas Festival

Day 4: Ryanair Hurdle Day, (Family Day) Thursday 29th December
The final day of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival is official family day. The day also features two Grade 1 races that all the family can enjoy. Watch Ireland’s top jockeys and horses go head to head in what truly is a racing finale in the Ryanair Hurdle and the Neville Hotels Novice Steeplechase.  There’s lots to do on Ryanair Hurdle Day for all the family with a beautiful bespoke Marquee for the kids to enjoy with free activities including: softzone play area, bouncies, face painting and balloon modelling and Top Oil’s Mr Ted will meet and greet you around the enclosure!  After racing, we have a special treat in store for all the kids with the Top Oil Mascot Race for charity – where some furry friendly characters will race out on the track in aid of their chosen charity. Then finally, the festival will close to the sweet notes of one of Irelands’ most cherished vocal talents – Mr Brian Kennedy.  

The Christmas festival: Four Days that will truly grip you -  sure you never know who you might bump into!

The Leopardstown Christmas Festival is a not-to-be-missed highlight of the Irish social and horse racing calendar. Enjoy world class national hunt racing over 4 spectacular days with 28 races that showcase the best horses, the best jockeys and the best trainers, all competing for seven Grade 1 races and €1.3 million in prize money. Running since 1888, the Christmas Festival attracts people from all over the world who love an exciting day at the races combined with the magic of Christmas.

Take your pick from any of the four days that will quicken your pulse, warm your heart and bring the true festive spirit closer to your friends and family: Racing Post Day: Mon 26th December, Paddy Power Day: Tue 27th December, Lexus Chase Day (Ladies Day): Wed 28th December, Ryanair Day: Thurs 29th December

There's plenty to do in addition to watching the races! Enjoy the bespoke Festival Marquee (which is open to everyone with an admission ticket). Inside you will find seating, a full bar, Winning Line Tipster Panel and after racing each day, there are live concerts from The Springsteens (26th), The Connor McKeon Band (27th + 28th) and Brian Kennedy (29th).  Lexus Chase Day (28th December) is official ladies day and features the Cliff at Lyons Style Stakes with a total prize fund of €10,000 to be won by stylish ladies and €5000 in prizes for the Winning Lady.

Day 1: Racing Post Day, Monday, 26th December 2016
When it’s time to escape the house, the only alternative is a spot of fresh air on St. Stephens Day at Leopardstown’s Christmas festival. Gather with friends from near and far and kickstart the party with top class racing on Racing Post Day with live music after racing in the Marquee from The Springsteens. An general admission ticket gets you into racing and also into the beautiful bespoke Festival Marquee (located by the parade ring) with seating, tipster panel, full bar, Food garden, Tote betting and TV screens.  The Day features two Grade 1 races including the Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle and the Racing Post Novice Steeplechase.

Day 2: Paddy Power Chase Day, Tuesday, 27th December
Mingle and meet with Ireland’s most knowledgeable punters on a day that showcases the spectacular Paddy Power Steeplechase, the most valuable race of the festival.  It is a day, when jumps racing really shows its true grit as you watch with baited breath as they battle the last fence towards the finish line. After racing, the Connor Mckeon Band put on a show to get the festive party into full swing in the Festival Marquee.

Day 3: Lexus Chase Day, Wednesday 28th December
The Grade 1 Lexus Chase is one of the most prestigious races in the calendar and draws in racing enthusiasts from all over Ireland and Britain. Zoe Conway, the virtuoso violinist will perform a musical tribute to the Lexus Chase itself as we anticipate the jewel in the crown of Irish racing.  This day is also the most glamorous day of the Christmas Festival as official Ladies’ Day. It is a celebration of inspired Winter Fashions and there’s not a sparkly Christmas dress in sight. Judges will actively seek out worthy contenders for the title the Cliff at Lyons Style Stakes winning lady. The prizes are nothing short of amazing. Sponsored by Cliff at Lyons, Cliff Townhouse and Cliffhouse Hotel, the Cliff at Lyons winner will receive €5,000 to spend at luxury stays at their properties. After racing, enjoy the sleek tones of Connor McKeon and Band.

FESTIVAL INFORMATION
Gates Open: 10.00am First Race: 12.15pm approx

11.00am Each Morning: The Leopardstown Winning Line (free tipster panel) is free to all patrons and will broadcast live in the Marquee at the racecourse before racing each morning at 11:00am.

The panel will discuss all the runners and riders on the day and consists of top broadcast and racing personalities including Denis Kirwan (TV3), Kevin O’Ryan (At the Races), Paddy Power (Paddy Power), David Jennings (The Racing Post).  If you are a novice or a punter, this panel is a must-see for those to mark your cards for the day and sure the banter is only great fun!

Article Published: 13/12/2016