Enterprise Target Solutions Sponsor Irish Greyhound Board

May 14, 2013

Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) have announced a new three-year sponsorship agreement with UK-based independent finance company Enterprise Target Solutions (ETS).

The brand new deal with ETS will see the overall investment in the Irish Greyhound Derby run to just under €750, online 000 ($972, order 088) for the coming three years and also makes this year’s event the richest race in the northern hemisphere with an overall prize fund of €240,000 ($311,068) which is remarkable given the current challenges facing the depressed sports sponsorship market here.

The Irish Greyhound Derby launches on 13 May 2013 at Shelbourne Park in Dublin. It is one of the toughest and highest profile greyhound racing competitions in the world, with greyhounds competing from every corner of Ireland and the UK.

IGB CEO Adrian Neilan said: “Our ability to attract a UK sponsor from the financial sector shows that our product is recognised internationally and our racing brand is a world leader and gives our industry the excellent profile it deserves. We have worked extremely hard over the past months to secure a high calibre sponsor worthy of our world class Derby and we’ve now succeeded in turning this famous event into the richest race in the Northern Hemisphere especially in this challenging economic climate.”

ETS CEO, Russell Warner, said: “Enterprise Targeting Solutions is delighted to be the sponsoring partner for the Irish Greyhound Derby over the next three years. As a new entrant to the Irish business community, we recognise the power oflong-term partnerships and relationships.”

He added: “Our mission is to provide small and medium-sized Irish businesses with a flexible and forward-thinking finance alternative to funding enterprises based on mutual profit principles. Predicting the winner of a race is nevereasy, but when working with the best of breed the chances of success are higher. ETS understands the unique nature of the Irish Greyhound Derby and our sponsorship model provides immediate awareness of our own unique approach to business success.  We look forward to an exciting future together.”

The Irish Greyhound Board, established in 1958, celebrate their 55 year anniversary in 2013. To mark this milestone, 55 years of Derby winning trainers were invited to Shelbourne Park to celebrate the new sponsor announcement. Among the winners, are two fathers & sons who both achieved the Derby dream; Owen McKenna and his father, Ger McKenna, and Brendan Mullen and his late father, Jack Mullen.

This year’s Derby starts with the first round heats over three nights on 7, 8 and 10 August, with the Grand Final on 14 September.