Randox renews Ulster National sponsorship at Downpatrick Racecourse
Randox renews Ulster National sponsorship at Downpatrick Racecourse
Randox renews Ulster National sponsorship at Downpatrick Racecourse
THE Ulster National, run at Downpatrick Racecourse since 1939, is one of the highlights of the racing year in Northern Ireland. It is therefore fitting that locally-based company Randox, whose racing portfolio has included the Aintree Grand National since 2017, has announced the renewal of their sponsorship of the Ulster National for the next five years, from 2025 until 2029. Randox will also sponsor 10 additional races at Downpatrick during each year.
This year’s Randox Ulster National will be held on Sunday, March 30th and is run over a distance of three miles and four furlongs, with a generous prize fund of €50,000.
Previous winners of the Ulster National include some well-known names: Caughoo won the Ulster National in 1945 and 1946 and went on to win the Aintree Grand National in 1947, ridden by jockey Eddie Dempsey and trained by Dublin-based Herbert McDowell. Laffy, owned by HRH Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother won the Ulster National in 1962, while more recently, Pineau de Re won the race in 2013, going on to claim the Aintree Grand National in 2014.
Randox is a global innovative healthcare diagnostics company, based in Crumlin, County Antrim and was founded in 1982 by Dr Peter FitzGerald, a medical scientist and keen horseman. The company’s sponsorship of racing includes the Randox Grand National at Aintree and title sponsorship of the three-day Randox Grand National Festival.
Randox sponsorship at Downpatrick began in 2020, with a five-year term having just come to an end. The renewal of this sponsorship for a further five years is a positive move for the racecourse and will certainly add to the excitement of the Ulster National for the next five years!
Be sure to put Sunday, March 30th into your diary!
Dr Peter FitzGerald CBE, Founder and Managing Director of Randox, said:
“This is an incredibly exciting time to be extending our partnership with Downpatrick Racecourse for the Randox Ulster National. Racing is a sport everyone can enjoy, from all different walks of life, and a partnership with Downpatrick offers us a fantastic opportunity to share our message of preventative health with a wide and engaged audience. The past five years, Randox has expanded into a strong and growing network of clinics across the UK & Ireland giving everyone the access they need to unlock their health. We look forward to the next five years of the Randox Ulster National.”
Ruth Morrison, Manager at Downpatrick Racecourse also said:
“I am thrilled that Randox has committed to extending their sponsorship of the Randox Ulster National at Downpatrick Racecourse for another five years, along with 10 additional races each season. The partnership over the past five years has been fantastic, and we are excited to continue building on that success.”
“Randox’s involvement in high-profile races such as the Grand National at Aintree highlights their dedication to our sport, we are proud to have them as a key partner in our racing community.”
“We would like to thank the FitzGerald Family and Team at Randox for their continued support and we look forward to the 2025 renewal of the Randox Ulster National on Sunday 30th March.”
Why does Randox sponsor Equine Sports events?
Why does Randox sponsor Equine Sports?
1 September 2021: Why does Randox sponsor Equine Sports?
Some may be wondering, why is a healthcare company so invested in the equine industry? Why would they sponsor the world’s most famous steeplechase – The Randox Grand National?
It’s a labour of love… Peter FitzGerald’s fond attachment to the equestrian world, together with 40 years’ experience in the in vitro diagnostics industry, was the perfect match.
Clinical diagnostics is at the heart of Randox and our experience and expertise has paved the way for the development of innovative and accurate diagnostic products for Equine Health.
You could say ‘it runs in our blood.’
With 70% of all medical decisions based on the analysis of blood, Randox are set to release the VeraSTAT-V, a stable-side Equine Serum Amyloid A test device designed to detect levels of inflammation in horse blood in a matter of minutes.
The ability to quickly detect and monitor your horse’s health, at the stable side, brings huge benefits to both horse and owner. Early detection of inflammatory states means treatment plans can start sooner, recovery periods are shorter, and the horse can return to work healthy much earlier.
When performance is key, monitoring inflammation is vital.
Whether it’s detecting inflammation related to joint injury, or screening for infection before or after transport, competition or surgery, the VeraSTAT-V is a valuable means to monitor Equine Health.
At Randox, we have enjoyed a long-standing partnership with the Jockey Club and will continue to deliver innovative diagnostics solutions to the Equine Industry for the years ahead.
Interested in finding out more?
For all Equine SAA and/or Veterinary related inquiries, please email marketing@randox.com or visit www.randox.com/veraSTAT-V for more information.