What section would you like to sit in the paddocks or a private box? There are well over 300 meetings to choose from, almost an average of one per day with over a million people in attendance across them each year. The busiest days of the festival are Wednesday, when the Galway Plate is held, and Thursday, when the Galway Hurdle and Ladies . 5. Share. Whether youre a fan of the jumps or flat racing, there are a plethora of racecourses in Ireland. There is one royal warrant from 1603 that entitled the governor of Derry to host fairs and markets where horse races could be held. In total it offers over 15 high-quality jump racing fixtures each year, all taking place on a top-class course that offers runners a fair but reasonably challenging test of their ability. Are you looking for a conventional horseshoe circuit, or something a little quirkier? Kavanagh also warned on Sunday about the impact of the Covid-19 emergency on other racing sectors such as small trainers and those involved in bloodstock sales which have been disrupted. There are over 43,000 Thoroughbreds in Ireland, 35% of the country's equine population;[58] there are more horses per head of population than in any other European country. Who is the Most Famous Irish Racehorse of All Time? Incidentally, this ambitious project was completed exactly two decades after the course spent 7m on developing the main grandstand and enclosure. The money you bet is critical to the country as a whole. The longer this goes on, the more racecourses will lose their big income earners.". Frequently Asked Questions About Irish Racing. The first recorded meeting at Curragh took in 1727, but horses would race on this site before records began to be kept. In terms of national hunt races, Dawn Run (19781986) is the most successful mare in the history of equestrian sport. The Racing Board was later replaced by the Irish Horseracing Authority in 1994, which is something we have known since 2001 as Horse Racing Ireland. [45][84], The Irish Jockeys Association (IJA) represents jockeys in the industry, and is notable for running, in association with the Turf Club, the Irish Jockey's Trust, which supports jockeys and former jockeys in difficulty. Domestically, racing is one of Ireland's most popular spectator sports, while on the international scene, Ireland is one of the strongest producers and trainers of Thoroughbred horses. [81][80] In January 2018 a new organisation, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, will become the regulatory body for horse racing in Ireland. [2] In a correspondence to King Charles II in 1673, Sir William Temple stated "Horses in Ireland are a drug we see horses bred of excellent shape, and vigour, and size, so as to reach great prices at home, and encourage strangers to find the market here. The Earliest and Final dates for meetings stated on this site are open to interpretation for the following reasons:- (i) Minor meetings which were not noteworthy or widely reported are not included in the dates; Winning 27 of the 35 races he entered, Arkle remains a national hero. Whether or not the government eases social restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, or extends them past the current May 5th deadline, is expected to be announced later this week and racing is anxiously awaiting news of when it might be able to resume. The Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee was incorporated into the Turf Club around 1866 to organise National Hunt racing (jump racing) in the same way as Flat racing. [50] The majority of racecourses are turf, with Dundalk being the only floodlit all-weather polytrack. The Galway Races (Irish: Rsa na Gaillimhe) is an Irish horse-racing festival that starts on the last Monday of July every year. The latest set of teacher strikes begin today, meaning some schools in England and Northern Ireland will be shut. This section provides a brief history of the course, but there will be descendants of the Local Patrons mentioned in the article who will be able to provide pictures of their ancestors and maybe even a picture of the racecourse, or have a badge or racecard from the course. 1 Technically, however, Dundalk is considered among the category of Northern Irish racecourses. [23][25][a], The first recorded race meet at Laytown took place in 1868, at a time when beach races were a relatively common occurrence. Given the deep connection between horse racing and Ireland, it's no surprise to see that many of the sport's most historic venues can be found on the Emerald Isle. With 26 racecourses in Northern and The Republic of Ireland, there are plenty of racing events and racecourses to choose from. It is partly because racing only takes place once a year at Laytown that makes it so special and limited availability is what makes racing at Listowel so cherished too. [23], A regulatory body was initially set up as the Society of Sportsmen, changing its name to The Jockey Club by 1755, before taking on its present name of The Turf Club in 1784. Place your FIRST bet on any market at odds of min 2.0 (EVS) and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. [10][59] More than 80% of these Irish-bred Thoroughbreds are exported to 37 countries, generating an estimated 229 million per year;[60][61] nearly 80% of these exports are to Great Britain. While many Irish horses enjoy legendary status, these perpetual front runners are regarded on a different level. Here are the most common questions we get asked about racing in Ireland: The best racecourses in Ireland in our opinion are: However, best is a subjective term. When it comes to racing, Ireland takes itself very seriously and racing is a big deal. As the old saying goes, its a case of horses for courses. HRI RACECOURSES - Horse Racing Ireland HRI RACECOURSES Leopardstown, Navan, Fairyhouse and Tipperary Racecourses HRI Racecourses Ltd is the arm of Horse Racing Ireland responsible for the running of its owned racecourses. [60], There are over 6,000 registered breeders in the country, 93% of which have fewer than 5 broodmares. The oldest racecourse in Southern Ireland is the Curragh although Down Royal in Northern Ireland pre-dates this venue. Some horses are better suited to flat tracks, while . Irelands racecourses are facing an economic perfect storm that wont be fixed by any resumption of racing behind closed doors. In fact, the only permanent building you will find at Laytown is a block of toilets. Most courses in Ireland are mixed tracks holding both flat and jumps racing on the turf. The following 7 pages are in this category, out of 7 total. Horses run at Fairyhouse Racecourse in Ireland. In a letter to King Charles II, he described horses as a drug in Ireland. How Many Racecourses are There in Ireland? "Apart from the media rights, Fairyhouse, for example, has lost its big pay day. It may be cheaper to exchange currency in cash before heading to Ireland. Subscribe FREE Today! The course closed in 1963, the same year as Manchester, where despite running steeplechases since 1872 (and Flat racing long before that), the lure of monies for housing development was too much to refuse. It happened between Lisburn and Portadown on Saturday. June 29 Limerick, Kilbeggan (NH) July 1 Leopardstown, Tipperary (NH) July 2 Sligo . [4] The use of the Curragh as an early location for horse racing is also mentioned in a gloss to the 7th century Liber Hymnorum. Curragh Racecourse - one of the most prestigious venues in the world Credit: Ireland's Content Pool Situated in Newbridge in County Kildare, Curragh is one of the most prestigious venues worldwide to watch flat racing. Check out the information that we have provided on each location and choose which event or festival youd like to attend. Races are primarily run on turf, with one floodlit all-weather track at Dundalk. Two owners per horse will be allowed to attend. Disclaimer: Please note that the legality of betting online varies between countries and it is your responsibility to verify that your actions are legal in the country you reside. With mass gatherings of over 5,000 cancelled until September, there will be no spectators going racing while sponsorship and other income streams are also hit. 4 days ago. Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved. We will sit down and look at the potential impact and the steps we can take,"Kavanagh continued. [68] Horse breeding and training is a key economic player in regions of the country where there are few employment opportunities. If you look at breeders, and the various breeze-up sales around Europe, 85 to 90 per cent of horses sold at those sales are in Ireland or are Irish horses. [32], In Ireland, the Flat racing season runs from mid-March to mid-November, and comprises races started from stalls, run over 5 to 20 furlongs. Horse racing was temporarily banned on 4 May 1917, following complaints concerning the oat intake of Thoroughbreds. The biggest event in Irish horse racing is the Irish Derby. The inaugural six-day meeting at the Kerry town started on 10 August, 1767 and one of the races during that week, long, long ago, was an event for Kerry-bred horses. It is quite a busy racecourse with over 20 meetings hosted throughout the entire year, including several in the evening, so it is easy to find a convenient time to pay it a visit. There are 26 racecourses in Ireland, 23 in the Republic of Ireland and 3 in Northern Ireland. June 28 Curragh. If you have information on any course then email me at johnwslusar@gmail.com Irish racecourses are visited by over 1.3m people every year and their races are broadcast all over the world, thus creating quite a large fan base. Hely-Hutchinson holds the distinction of being the only jockey to ride Arkle on the racecourse and not win on the great horse. Between March 25, when racing ceased, and April 19, there will be 23 fixtures lost to 12 race courses, with Cork and Dundalk the worst hit in terms of numbers. Races were held at Tralee until 2008, when the course was sold for redevelopment. Breeding of racehorses is also a big moneyspinner in Ireland, as the country produces some of the finest colts and fillies in the world. It is here that steeplechasing was born; it is here that many of the most illustrious horses in racing history have been bred over the course of several centuries. The Irish horse racing industry is closely linked with that of Great Britain, with Irish horses regularly competing and winning on the British racing circuit. If you are wanting to head to some of the big meetings, these will set you back a little more, with a standard ticket costing 20 to 30 being far from unusual for these sought-after dates. [45][46][49] More than 1.3m people visit Irish racecourses each year,[46] with crowds in excess of 100,000 annually attending both the Punchestown Festival in April, and the Galway Races in July. What will that market look like now? Some schools across England and Northern Ireland are closed today. Can I Wear Fancy Dress to Racecourse in Ireland? Some of the most prominent racing festivals in Ireland are: We review all the major Irish races, follow our links to find out more about: For more information on these events, including how to get to the course and purchase tickets, take a look at the website of the racecourses in question. Andrew Blair White explores the massive struggles this has caused for racecourses in Ireland. Leopardstown, Naas and Cork are three of several racecourses in Ireland that host both jumps and flat racing action. Whenever it happens the sports ruling body, Horse Racing Ireland, continues to have a racing ready policy and could potentially be able to stage fixtures within a week of government giving a green light. [1] The mythological Fianna were said to have enjoyed horse racing without the use of chariots;[5] the Book of Leinster contains an early poem mentioning races at the Curragh and near Croom, as well as a tradition of racing on the beach in Kerry,[4] a tradition which continues today. Economic strife led to less investment in horse breeding, and capable horses were more likely to be raced in England where the prize money was larger. "I'd be very worried about the racecourses," Kavanagh said. Irish Racecourses: A-Z Guide To Racecourses In Ireland - Online Betting We support responsible gambling, so in case you require information about gambling addiction or need support please use the link BeGambleAware. The Curragh is a flat only course whilst Kilbeggan, Thurles, Wexford and Downpatrick hold only National Hunt racing. Translink has confirmed a number of . Horse Racing Ireland chief executive Brian Kavanagh admits he is "very worried" about the viability of some racecourses as the governing authority continues to grapple with the multi-million-euro cost and ramifications of a sustained shutdown. All four Classics take place here, the Irish Derby, Irish Oaks, Irish 2000 Guineas and Irish 1000 Guineas. The other elite Irish Racecourse, Leopardstown, dabbles in both jump and flat racing. We start with the Summer Festival in Killarney, which runs for five successive days in July. Take a look at the information that we have provided and choose which day at the races, or horse racing festival, you would like to attend. Irish racing to continue behind closed doors after crucial Wednesday For a good number of years, racing at the course coincided with the Rose of Tralee festival but with attendances dropping to unviable levels in the present century, the decision was taken to close the course with the last meeting taking place on 1 October, 2008. 2023 racinginsider.com. Dublin remains hugely popular with tourists though, so you may be able to tie in a race meeting with a general city break if you are crossing the Irish sea or coming from further afield. In 1945, the Racing Board was established specifically to deal with financing the sport and this helped increase racecourse investment and also prize money. Dead Heat Rules What Happens In The Event Of A Tie? [20][22] The early steeplechases offered little more than an agreed-upon landmarks as start and finish points, with the riders free to choose their own path, but later races used a line of flags to indicate a determined course. June 24 Naas, Roscommon (NH) June 25 Fairyhouse. If horse racing at its best is what you are looking for, Ireland is certainly the place to find it. If you are someone that loves the thrill of jumps racing, this lengthy battle will be right up your street. Owners had not been able to attend race meetings since March with the majority of sport being held behind closed doors. [41][42][43], There are 26 major racecourses in Ireland,[44][45][46][47][32] more per head of population than any other country,[48] with more than 350 race meetings and 2,000 races annually. Holders of that stock are looking at value diminishing in front of their eyes. A decision was taken in April to stage the races behind closed doors due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and Moloney joined Ger Gilroy and Johnny Ward . Teacher strikes: Most NI schools close as five unions take action over The usual caveats will apply if fancy dress is allowed no costumes that could cause offence to other patrons. Place your FIRST bet on any ChNew customers only. Racecourses and the events they host provide some 1.1 billion to the Irish economy each and every year. Many courses also built permanent structures on their grounds in the hope they would survive for decades to come. Since the 1960s, five courses have closed their gates for the last time with Mullingar, Baldoyle, Tuam, the Phoenix Park and Tralee joining the long list of former courses. [33], There are three types of National Hunt race:[33], Steeplechase and Hurdle races are held each year at 23 courses, of which 3 run exclusively National Hunt races. Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare. (ii) Courses which were previously run under rules might have switched to point to point racing and the dates only include those run under rules; Richard Dunwoody is another legend of the sport, notching up 1,700 career victories across a multitude of meetings. Irish tracks allowed to host 500 spectators as government relaxes The land was sold to Galway Country Council in 1978. Person hit by train between Lisburn and Portadown Whether you want flat racing, jump racing, or a bit of both, Ireland has got you covered and then some. The loss of the track was a big blow to the midlands, but another Co. Westmeath course, Kilbeggan, grew from strength to strength. The tradition of racing runs very deep in Ireland. These are just two historical and legendary racecourses in Ireland, though the country boasts many. Baldoyle was a popular venue for racegoers, staging races over jumps and on the flat. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that the Irish love their horses and their racing but that simple fact illustrates it perfectly. [35][73], The Turf Club is responsible for licensing trainers. Ten such meetings were run here before racing stopped on March 24th. Horse racing in Ireland has a very long history. These Northern Ireland racecourses boast state of the art facilities and some of the most important equestrian events in Irish horse racing. To maintain its reputation as an elite jump racing venue, Punchestown has had to regularly update and modernise its offering. Once upon a time, long, long, ago, there was a racecourse in nearly every county in Ireland but now just 17 of the 32 hold meetings under rules of racing, with 26 venues catering for the sport of kings.. Some very generous prizes are dished out on Ladies Day for those deemed the best dressed and later on there is even a Mad Hatters competition during what is very much a family-friendly day of the festival. The Irish horse racing industry is today worth 1 billion per annum, employs over 14,000 people, and is a major player on the international scene. Kavanagh said on Sunday that racecourses and on-course bookmakers, who arent allowed attend behind closed doors fixtures, are two sectors to the forefront of HRIs concerns about how they will emerge from the current crisis. Rather than racing on grass, horses at Laytown compete on sand as its temporary track is set up on the seafront, but under normal IHRB rules. There really is a huge selection though and the following are just our pick of the highlights. [28] In 1915, the British National Stud was based in the Curragh, becoming the Irish National Stud after independence. This section provides a brief history of the course, but there will be descendants of the Local Patrons mentioned in the article who will be able to provide pictures of their ancestors and maybe even a picture of the racecourse, or have a badge or racecard from the course. Kavanagh also expressed his fears for the sort of industry that will be left when the coronavirus eventually relents. Well help you find the perfect course for your needs. [32][80], The Turf Club, established in 1790, is the regulatory body for Horse racing in Ireland, including both Flat and National Hunt racing, and incorporates the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee (INHSC). Horse racing takes place throughout the calendar year in Ireland. Horse racing in Ireland - Wikipedia HORSE owners will be allowed to return to racecourses in Ireland from Monday. [58] Ireland is the largest producer of Thoroughbreds in the EU, producing 40% of the EU's Thoroughbreds,[58][62][63] and the fourth-largest in the world;[58][59] additionally, 4 of the top 10 stallions in Europe are based in Ireland. These are the most elite races on the calendar and the tend to carry large amounts of prize money, something that is reflected in the quality of thoroughbred that shows up. The victims . Kilcohan Park Greyhound Stadium (Waterford). Lengths of races vary from course to course, and whether you are watching horses race on a flat track or negotiating jumps depends on the venue. In February 2022, unions rejected a pay offer from . Teacher strikes: Is your school closed today? Full list of - MSN [10][59][65] A recurring part of Irish culture, the horse has been romanticised in art and literature for many centuries. Punchestown is seen as the home of jump racing in the Republic of Ireland as it hosts a hefty portion of the leading jump races in the country. While there was free admission to meetings up to then, the course was enclosed with racegoers having to pay in, from near the end of the 19th century. Sky Bet Horse Racing - these offers are not valid from 2pm on Fri 14th until 23.59 on Sat 15th April. Fairyhouse had been exploring capital development options including upgrading its watering system but those plans are now in jeopardy. Copyright 2023 British Racecourses - britishracecourses.org is intended for the sole use of the individuals over 18 years of age. This is a day at the races that unfolds on the beach, on a level sand surface. With close to 360 meetings held annually and around 2,000 races taking place, you are never short of an Irish racecourse to either visit or have a bet on. The racecourse was temporarily closed at the end of the 1981 flat season but was reopened in 1983 with a consortium which included well-known owner Robert Sangster and champion trainer Vincent OBrien taking over the running of the track. A few years before, in 1860, Punchestown racecourse became permanent hosts to jump racing when they established stands and an enclosure. That outing was in the Balbriggan Handicap Hurdle over two miles in April 1962, when the future champion finished down the field. Even on flat tracks like the Curragh, getting a good draw can be crucial. So if you look at a Galway, or Punchestown or Curragh or any track that has good commercial revenue on top of media rights, if you go behind closed doors you dont replace that revenue. Its handy location, just 8km south of Dublin, allows it to attract very healthy crowds and no racecourse in Ireland enjoys more visitors each year in total. I am grateful to Ordnance Survey ( Crown Copyright) for permission to use any pre-1956 maps showing the locations of former racecourses in England, Scotland and Wales, and also to The British Newspaper Archive (www.BritishNewspaperArchive.co.uk) for allowing small sections of relevant newspapers to be included in the text of each racecourse. Gamble responsibly and Think about your choices. [75], In Ireland, racehorses may be owned solely, in partnership or in syndicate. The main jumps season runs between November and April. They are not race meetings as you would traditionally know them. 1. (iii) Outside of the stated dates the cards at many meetings included pony, Galloway, or even foot, races and are not included in the dates. The board of Horse Racing Ireland is due to meet on Monday and a government announcement on restrictions will be made later this week ahead of the May 5th deadline. Irish Racecourses Map & Info - List of all Race Courses in Ireland N. Ireland Politics; Aughnacloy: Three killed and four injured in A5 crash. For a completely unique racing experience, you will want to get yourself down to Laytown Racecourse for their annual meeting (usually in September). One of the main functions is the provision of stewards to implement Rules of Racing during races. Three people, all members of the same extended family, have been killed while four others are in hospital following a road crash tragedy in Co Tyrone on Thursday morning. Empty betting ring: closed for business at Limerick on Sunday Credit: Alain Barr One of the industries hit the hardest by the pandemic has been the horse racing industry, with behind closed doors race meetings having been implemented back in March. Our lost racecourses since 1939 - a tale of woe versus innovation Racing at Mullingar dates back to 1754, but the track at Newbrook a short distance from the town staged its first fixture in 1852 and racing was held at that venue up to 1967. According to a HRI-commissioned Deloitte report that was published in 2017, the core racing and breeding sectors sustain 15,200 full time jobs. The rules of Irish racing were devised by William Temple in 1673. [4][6][7][8] There are later mentions of "horse matches" in Galway in the 13th century under the "Kings Plate Articles". Horse racing in Ireland is intricately linked with Irish culture and society. Here is the full list of 26 racecourses in Ireland: Ballinrobe Bellewstown Clonmel Cork Curragh Down Royal Downpatrick Dundalk Stadium Fairyhouse Galway Gowran Park Kilbeggan Killarney Laytown For a few years before its closure the Tuam course had a race in honour of 1958 Aintree Grand National winner Mr What. [76][77][10] They may also be sold directly by trainers, breeders or agents. In 1790, the group published their first racing calendar (previously races were listed in the English Racing Calendar), outlining all planned meetings in Ireland for the year. Our two favourites, however, would have to be Galway and Listowel as we have had personal success with our horses (Dooley Thoroughbreds) at these tracks. Will you need parking on-site or accessible public transport links and a bus shuttle to the course? [54][55] Unaffiliated races are frequently held at many locations throughout the country. For many non-Irish nationals, Dublin is the beating heart of the country. [83][84], The Irish Racehorse Trainers Association (IRTA) was founded in 1950 to represent licensed racehorse trainers in Ireland and, today, has a membership of almost 430 individuals. Captain Christy, Dawn Run, Vintage Crop and Montys Pass are among the big race winners who entered the winners enclosure at Ballybeggan Park. As at Mullingar, Arkle ran there during the early part of his racing career. The undoubted crown jewel in the Punchestown Racecourse calendar is the five-day Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival, held each April to close the country's National Hunt season. All cities, towns and villages shown below did, at one stage, have a racecourse. The speed of progress was aided by the interest King Charles II had in racing as he sponsored several Kings Plate races which tended to come with a sizeable purse. [24] A similar body for National Hunt races, the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee, was formed under the Turf Club to ensure fair running of National Hunt meetings. Sir Anthony McCoy (better known as AP McCoy) dominated national hunt racing until his retirement, winning a championship race in every year that he was active in the jumps. Obviously we are trying to protect jobs if we can but that will become more difficult the longer the break is. This was followed by the formation of the Honourable Society of Sportsmen in 1749, which was renamed the Turf Club in 1784. If you want to see the very best thoroughbred horses then targeting a meeting with a Group 1 (flat) or Grade 1 (jump racing) is the best way to go. Sometimes, that isn't possible. Most races occur on the standard oval track, though. [60], Dennis Fitzpatrick was the first professional Irish jockey to race in England, particularly noted for taking part in match races towards the turn of the 19th century,[69] beginning a long history of professional Irish jockeys in the United Kingdom. Published. Are you hoping to attend a major event on the global racing stage or local race meetings? [10] Horse racing was evidently popular in the 17th century: a 1622 poem tells of a jockey killed participating in a horse race in Carrickfergus,[11] while other accounts mention a 1634 race between Lord Digby and the Earl of Ormond,[12] and the establishment in 1682 of a race by Lord Kildare, with a plate of 40 pounds to the winner. The last time owners were permitted on racecourses in Ireland was in September of 2020. There was also the Irish National Hunt Steeple Chase Committee that ran alongside the Turf Club for a number of years but the pair merged in 1866. Read more about him in our Best Hennessey Gold Cup winners blog. Category : Former horse racing venues in the Republic of Ireland [78], Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) was established in 2001 in an effort to promote Irish Horse racing and Thoroughbred breeding at an international level. Racehorses doing morning work at the Curragh last week. Teachers who . How Important is the Horse Racing Industry to The Irish Economy? Leopardstown's flat track is very tight, so it can pay to be drawn low, especially for horses who like to be ridden prominently. Meetings were held there on and off in the 19th century before an enclosed course opened for the sport in 1902 and was run by members of the Peard family for a few decades.
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