# Ireland's rich pick a pony for charity

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2006/03/15/ireland039s-rich-pick-pony-charity/
- Published: 2006-03-15T00:00:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Some of Ireland’s super rich will be at Cheltenham this week looking to pick a few
winners for themselves and charity. Online bookie SportsSpread.com has generously
agreed to pony up some charity bets for some of the biggest names in Irish business.
Each gambler has been given a ‚€100 charity bet to place on a horse running in the
festival. Any winnings will be donated to the charity of their choice by SportsSpread.
com .

 

 

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DERMOT DESMOND

 

The ace financier will be rooting for Fota Island in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
He’s chosen the horse because his pal JP McManus recommended it to him. Desmond’s
winnings are earmarked for Respect.

 

 

MICHAEL SMURFIT

 

The doctor will be hoping that the rain stays away. His company Kappa Smurfit is
sponsoring the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday. But Smurfit fancies the chances of Dermot
Weld’s American bred Dasher Reilly in the Champion Bumper the following day. Smurfit’s
winnings are set for the Sunshine House in Ballbriggan.

 

 

TOM BAILEY

 

The Bovale Developments man fancies the Willie Mullins-trained Equus Maximus, also
in Wednesday’s Bumper. Bailey is sticking ‚€50 on the nose to win. Temple Street
Children’s Hospital is the beneficiary of any winnings.

 

 

PHILIP LYNCH

 

The former IAWS boss and chairman of One51 fancies another Noel Meade-trained horse.
He’s sweet on Harbour Pilot on the Foxhunters Chase on Friday. Lynch’s winnings 
are earmarked for Focus Ireland.

 

 

BRIAN COWEN

 

The Finance Minister knows a thing or two about horses. His choice for the Gold 
Cup is Michael Hourigan’s Beef or Salmon. Any winnings are bound for the St Vincent
de Paul.

 

 

SEAN MULRYAN

 

The Ballymore Properties supremo owns a number of serious Cheltenham contenders 
this year.

 

Mulryan is putting ‚€15 each way on both his horses. Any winnings will be donated
to the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation.

 

 

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