Cheltenham race course announced this week that the corrugated giant would not sponsor the Champion Hurdle beyond this year’s event, which takes place on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival next Tuesday.
Smurfit Kappa – then simply Smurfit – first sponsored the race in 1991.
Gary McGann, Smurfit Kappa chief executive, said: “The Smurfit Kappa Group is pleased to have fully honoured its sponsorship commitment to the Champion Hurdle.
“We have enjoyed the excellent working relationship with the Cheltenham management team and we wish them every success in finding a suitable future sponsor for this famous event.”
Edward Gillespie, Cheltenham’s managing director, added: “It has been a joy to have the support of Smurfit Kappa for so many years. Sir Michael Smurfit, a great friend to racing, was initially the driving force behind the deal and it was appropriate that he had a runner in the first Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle in 1991.
“On behalf of everyone at Cheltenham, I’d like to express our huge gratitude to Smurfit Kappa for everything the company has done to promote this great race.”
Peter McNeile, director of sponsorship at Cheltenham, said the race already had interest from other potential sponsors.
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