The £50,000 Grade 2 race is run on April 16, Coral Scottish
Grand National Saturday, and has been sponsored since 1997 by
Samsung Electronics.
The sponsorship is the latest stage in the brand development for
Isle of Skye by its owners, Ian Macleod Distillers , which aims to
raise the profile of the award winning Blended Scotch throughout
Scotland's Racecourses and beyond.
In addition to being the official whisky sponsor of the 2011
Scottish Racing 'Trainers Championship' Isle Of Skye 8 Years Old
Blended Scotch Whisky is the official whisky partner at all five
Scottish racecourses and is also the proud sponsor of Scotland's
leading National Hunt trainer Lucinda Russell and her team at
Arlary House Stables.
Iain Weir, Marketing Director for Ian Macleod Distillers, brand
owners of Isle of Skye, commented : "We are delighted to be
supporting the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr Racecourse. This is
one of the most prestigious events in the racing calendar, built on
values of tradition and excellence that sits very well with Isle of
Skye 8 Years Old Blended Scotch Whisky."
Alan Macdonald, Chairman of Ayr Racecourse, said : "The Scottish
Champion Hurdle is one of the highlights of the National hunt
season, not only in Scotland but in the UK. It has a great history
and I am delighted to welcome Isle of Skye Scotch Blended Whisky as
sponsors of the race.
"Isle of Skye is not only a leading brand but also has a great
association with racing and I feel this is a great fit. Everyone at
Ayr Racecourse looks forward to working with the team at Isle of
Skye to make this year's race one of the best ever."
The Scottish Champion Hurdle was first run in 1966 when the winner
was Blue Venom. It was awarded Grade 2 status in 1991 and was run
on the opening day of the two day Scottish Grand National meeting
until 1994 when it moved to the Saturday.
Previous winners include Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Captain
Christy in 1973, Alderbrook in 1996 ( a year after winning the
Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham ) and Martin Pipe's Granville Again
in 1992. Last year's winner was the Donald McCain trained Overturn
ridden by Timmy Murphy.
Andy Turnell, Richard Dunwoody and Peter Scudamore have each
ridden three winners of the race and Tony McCoy, Jamie
Osborne, Richard Johnson and Jonjo O'Neill have all tasted victory
in the Scottish Champion Hurdle.