Naas business owner says it was ‘an honour’ to present Nina Carberry with final racing trophy

Another successful year of sponsorship at this year’s Punchestown Festival was made all the more memorable for The Dooley Insurance Group as their race on Saturday afternoon provided jockey Nina Carberry with her last ever winner.

On the same weekend that fellow female jockey Katie Walsh announced her retirement from racing, Carberry bowed out on a high when she won the Dooley Insurances Cross Country Steeplechase on board Josies Orders. She then entered the parade ring and announced that she was to retire from racing at the end of the festival, before she was presented with her final ever racing trophy by Tim Dooley, Managing Director of Dooley Insurance.

“What an honour it was to be part of the presentation for Nina Carberry’s final ever win,” remarked Tim Dooley.

“She is a legend of Irish horseracing and, along with Katie Walsh, has carried the flag for female jockeys in Ireland and the UK for many years. Having watched her record so many wins at the Cheltenham Festival over the years and watching her ride Organisedconfusion to glory in the Irish Grand National in 2011, it was great to have a small involvement in her very special day.”

It was the second of two races that the Naas-based insurance agency sponsored during the biggest National Hunt festival on the Irish calendar. On Tuesday evening the curtain was brought down on the first day of the festival when the Pat Fahy-trained Kalum River earned a 1.5 length win under Patrick Mullins in the Dooley Insurance INH Flat Race.

Speaking at the conclusion of the festival, Tim Dooley said; “Being involved in the Punchestown Festival is something that really means a lot to our business because of the fact that we have such a strong link with the equine industry through our Equine Insurance Division, which was launched last year.

“The festival means a lot to the people of the area due to the crowds of people it attracts to Kildare, which really helps to boost the economy and the atmosphere in the county.

“Likewise, we are very invested in the local area as we have been operating in Naas for over 60 years now, and having our brand recognised at the Punchestown Festival is a major part of that.”