William Hill strengthens Irish racing with grassroots challenge series

• The William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series will run across 50 races at 28 meetings over seven months, starting October 3rd at Gowran Park
• The initiative targets trainers with 50 or fewer winners in the past two seasons, offering €135,000 in total prize money with €50,000 for the winning trainer
• The series has backing from key industry bodies including the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association, Irish Stable Staff Association and Irish Jockeys Association

William Hill has announced sponsorship of a new grassroots racing series in Ireland worth €135,000, designed to support smaller yards and boost participation across the National Hunt season. The William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series launches on October 3rd at Gowran Park and will span seven months until April 2026.

Series structure and eligibility

The series encompasses 50 races across 28 meetings at 13 Irish racecourses, featuring maiden hurdles, handicap hurdles, novice chases, beginners’ chases, handicap chases and bumpers.

Points will be allocated to trainers and jockeys on a first to seventh place basis (10,6,5,4,3,2,1) with an overall championship table determining prize winners at the final fixture on April 24th, 2026.

The bonus element specifically targets smaller operations, restricting eligibility to trainers with 50 or fewer winners in either of the last two seasons in either code.

Prize distribution

The winning trainer will receive €50,000, whilst the champion jockey and stable staff will each earn €10,000. Stable staff from all yards qualify for the bonus element, including those from ineligible training operations, with a €100 best-turned-out award presented for each race in the series.

The initiative has gained support from key industry stakeholders including the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association (IRTA), Irish Stable Staff Association (ISSA) and Irish Jockeys Association (IJA). The concept was initially proposed by IRTA earlier this year as part of suggested programme changes.

“We’re thrilled to launch the new William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series. This initiative runs through the real backbone of the Irish National Hunt season and should have a positive impact on the grassroots of the sport,” said Sandro Di Michele, William Hill’s Director of Horse Racing.

“We really want to position William Hill at the heart of Irish racing, and we believe this series is the perfect way of doing that. We’re very excited to see action get underway on Friday 3rd October at Gowran Park, and we look forward to the series’ narrative building throughout the campaign,” he added.

Jane Mangan, William Hill racing ambassador, commented:

“It’s extremely exciting for Irish racing that William Hill are launching this series. Kicking off on Friday at Gowran, there are 50 races and €135,000 in bonus money to be won. This series really has something for everyone, with bonuses for trainers, jockeys and stable staff, it’s set to give a much-needed boost to the heart of the Irish National Hunt season”.

The series represents William Hill’s continued investment in Irish racing following previous sponsorship commitments including the headline sponsorship of Dundalk Stadium and the William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown Festival.

“This initiative is a fantastic opportunity for medium and smaller trainers. The IRTA is delighted to have developed this series in partnership with William Hill which rewards trainers, their riders & stable staff,” added Feidhlim Cunningham, CEO of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association

“With €100,000 in bonuses available for trainers, the €50,000 first prize equates to winning €732,000 in gross prizemoney. The exposure this series will provide to trainers nationwide will be hugely important, and we are very grateful to William Hill for sharing our vision of what this series can achieve.”

The bookmaker has positioned itself as a major supporter of Irish racing through various partnerships and ambassador programmes featuring figures such as Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue.