BAR 1 Betting Announced as New Sponsors of the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse
BAR 1 Betting are pleased to be announced as the new sponsors of the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, one of Ireland’s most established staying chases and a key fixture in the spring National Hunt calendar.
The Grade 3 contest, run over 3m1f, will take place on February 21 and has long been regarded as an important trial for both the Irish Grand National and the Randox Grand National at Aintree.
Recent renewals highlight the race’s role as a proven test for staying chasers. I Am Maximus, an Irish Grand National winner, captured the Bobbyjo Chase in 2024, while the 2025 renewal was won by Nick Rockett, who subsequently went on to win the Randox Grand National at Aintree. Hedgehunter also used the race as a stepping stone to Aintree success when victorious in 2005.
Speaking about the announcement, John Sheridan, Fairyhouse Racecourse Manager, commented:
“The Bobbyjo Chase is one of the key Grand National trials, and we are delighted that BAR 1 Betting have come on board as this year’s sponsor of the race, along with the Tommy Carberry Handicap Hurdle. Bobbyjo and the Carberry family are synonymous names in Irish Racing, and we are very proud to host these races in their honour.
The BAR 1 Betting Bobbyjo Chase winners over the last two years have gone on to success in the Aintree National with I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett, so we will be keeping a keen eye on the winner from this year’s race wherever they go next. Testament to the strength of the race is that it will also be shown live on ITV Racing as part of their Saturday broadcast.
I would like to extend my thanks to Barney O’Hare of BAR 1 Betting who is a great supporter of Fairyhouse, and Irish Racing as a whole, and look forward to another great renewal of the race.”
No trainer is more closely associated with the Bobbyjo Chase than Willie Mullins, who has won the race on 14 occasions. The champion trainer has landed nine of the last ten renewals, including the most recent three runnings, underlining his continued success in the contest.
The Bobbyjo Chase is named in honour of the Irish-bred racehorse Bobbyjo, by Bustineto out of Markup, who won both the Irish Grand National in 1998 and the Aintree Grand National in 1999. Owned by Bobby Burke of County Galway, Bobbyjo remains a significant figure in Irish racing history, with a statue standing in his honour in Mullaghmore.
Bobbyjo arrived at Aintree in 1999, having won the Irish Grand National the previous season, at a time when Irish-trained runners had gone 24 years without success in the race. Despite doubts over the strength of Irish National form as a guide, Bobbyjo was the subject of strong market support and started at 10/1, ridden by Paul Carberry, son of trainer Tommy Carberry, who had been the jockey on the last Irish-trained Grand National winner 24 years earlier.
The victory marked a significant moment for Irish-trained runners, with an upturn in the fortunes for Irish raiders following.
Paul Carberry was on hand at Fairyhouse on Thursday to help announce BAR 1 Betting’s support of the race. The legendary jockey spoke fondly of his emotional attachment to the BobbyJo Chase.
BAR 1 Betting will also now sponsor the Tommy Carberry Handicap Hurdle on the Bobbyjo Chase card.
BAR 1 Betting’s sponsorship of the Bobbyjo Chase marks the beginning of a busy period as the build-up to Cheltenham and the major spring festivals gathers pace. BAR 1 Betting, who rebranded from BAR One Racing last year, will also sponsor another key Grand National trial at Naas on March 8, with the BAR 1 Betting Leinster National set to take place.
BAR 1 Betting CEO Barney O’Hare said:
“We’re absolutely delighted to be sponsoring the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse. This is a race that carries real history and emotion, named after a horse who remains so fondly remembered by the Irish racing public and, of course, the Carberry family. It was fantastic to have Paul Carberry with us to help announce the sponsorship, his connection to Bobbyjo adds even more significance to the occasion.
The Bobbyjo Chase has long been a proven stepping stone to Grand National glory, both at Fairyhouse and Aintree. Nick Rockett won the race last year before going on to land the National at Liverpool, while past winners such as I Am Maximus and Hedgehunter underline the calibre of horse this contest attracts.
At BAR 1 Betting, we’re proud supporters of Irish racing and we’re looking forward to a big crowd at Fairyhouse on the 21st. With ITV set to broadcast the race, it promises to be a fantastic day and a brilliant showcase for the sport.”
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