Barberstown Castle strengthens brand presence through festival race sponsorship

Barberstown Castle has confirmed a high-profile race sponsorship at the 2026 Dublin Racing Festival, aligning its luxury hospitality brand with one of the most commercially significant fixtures in the Irish racing calendar.

The Kildare-based four-star hotel will sponsor the Barberstown Castle Handicap Steeplechase (Listed), scheduled for Saturday, 31 January 2026 at Leopardstown Racecourse.

The race is positioned immediately after the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup on Day One of the Festival, securing prime exposure within a card that consistently attracts elite owners, trainers, jockeys and sponsors from Ireland and Britain.

Barberstown Castle’s sponsorship builds on a longstanding association with Irish racing. The hotel has previously sponsored meetings at The Curragh, Naas and Punchestown, while also maintaining close links with the racing community through hospitality partnerships and direct support of jockeys including Dylan Browne McMonagle, Scott McCullagh, Patrick McGettigan and Simon Torrens. The Leopardstown deal further consolidates its position within the sport’s commercial ecosystem.

Amanda Torrens, CEO and owner of Barberstown Castle, said: “The Dublin Racing Festival attracts a hugely engaged audience and represents the very best of Irish National Hunt racing.

“With approximately 36,000 people expected to attend over the weekend, it provides a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase Barberstown Castle to both Irish and international racegoers. We love horse racing — it’s a special industry — and we relish the opportunity to support and work with dynamic racecourses, jockeys and sporting events at the highest level.”

View the full details of the sponsorship and Festival activation in the original article.

(Photo credits to Barberstown Castle’s official Facebook page)