Cheltenham Festival tradition comes to an end as multi-millionaire backer pulls out

CHELTENHAM Festival will look very different this year after a multi-millionaire sponsor pulled out.

The Grade 1 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle - the first race on day two - has been won by some giants of the sport including Samcro and Envoi Allen.

Impaire Et Passe was a brilliant winner for master trainer Willie Mullins last year and the contest is one of the biggest betting heats of the four-day festival.

But whoever passes the post first this year is likely to be collecting a trophy of a different name after Sean Mulryan's Ballymore group decided to end their sponsorship.

The race is currently listed under its original title of the Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle.

As it stands, the Arkle, National Hunt Chase, Grand Annual, Martin Pipe and County Hurdle also appear without sponsors.

But it should be said that three of those - the Grand Annual, National Hunt Chase and Martin Pipe - traditionally never have sponsors.

And the National Hunt Chase was sponsored by WellChild just last year.

Ballymore have thrown their full weight behind the hurdle race for the past six years but withdrew their support in order to focus on smaller scale events.

A statement read: "Ballymore continues to have a longstanding affiliation with horse racing, and we have been proud to support Cheltenham over the years.

"As is normal for our business, we regularly rotate our sponsorship cycles, making the decision this year to prioritise grassroots community groups in the UK and Ireland.

"While we have taken this strategic decision to move away from sponsoring Cheltenham this year, we have a strong association with the Jockey Club and the festival and hope to work with them again in the future."

A Jockey Club spokesperson hinted there was a promising development on the horizon.

They said: "Ballymore has been a fantastic partner for the Cheltenham Festival and the Jockey Club over the years, and we thank them for their longstanding support.

"We look forward to announcing an update on the Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle in due course."

Ballymore, a massive construction group headed by top horse owner Mulryan, have also pulled their support from four other races in the calendar.

Mulryan and wife Bernadine have been key figures in racing for years and their top horse this season is Gold Cup hope Fastorslow.

He has beaten Galopin Des Champs twice and is second favourite to win the big race this year.

Mulryan's Ballymore company can be seen on property developments all over the UK and Ireland.

Although their most recognisable is the sky pool in Vauxhall, London.

Mulryan is believed to be worth around £80million and has risen from being one of seven children 'born into poverty' in rural Ireland.

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