Basked in sunshine, Leopardstown Racecourse proved the ideal venue to host friends and industry partners of Cashel Palace in celebration of the hotel’s sponsorship of the inaugural Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes (Group 3), the feature race at yesterday’s meeting.

The contest, spanning a mile and two furlongs for three-year-olds, is recognised as a crucial steppingstone to Group One and Classic achievements. The Derby Trial Stakes boasts a prestigious roll of honour featuring former Epsom Derby champions such as Sinndar, Galileo, and High Chaparral, as well as four-time Ascot Gold Cup winner Yeats and 'Arc' victor Dylan Thomas.

Following al fresco arrival champagne and canapés overlooking the parade ring, guests then relocated to the nearby Panoramic Suite for an exciting day of racing and exclusive hospitality.  Hosted by an extensive Cashel Palace team,including General Manager, Adriaan Bartels, Director of Sales, Karen Fleming, and a pristine brigade of Culinary and Food & Beverage staff, guests were treated to a flavour of Cashel Palace offsite. Director of Culinary, Stephen Hayes, in collaboration with Head Chef John Kavanagh of Levy Catering, presented a carefully curated menu featuring some of Tipperary’s finest ingredients throughout the arrival canapés, lunch, afternoon tea and Taste of Tipperary sharing platters.

This year’s race sponsorship by Cashel Palace Hotel follows a number of exciting developments for the five star hotel including the recent accolade of a Michelin Star for their esteemed fine dining restaurant, The Bishop’s Buttery and the addition of another dining outlet, Sadler’s Bar & Restaurant in nearby Fethard.

The 2024 Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trials Stakes, which was won by Coolmore owned LOS ANGELES under jockey W.M. Lordan, was a memorable event for all attendees, including racing fans, industry experts, and hotel guests, marking another chapter in the storied legacy of this historic race.