Patrick Costello was the main man behind the course in its early years with a stand and a ladies enclosure among the facilities, while a road from the local railway station to the venue was laid. Here are the racecourses closest to Dublin: This does not, in any way, diminish the qualities of other racecourses in Ireland. [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. All cities, towns and villages shown below did, at one stage, have a racecourse. How Many Racecourses are There in Ireland? Map of Racecourses in Ireland The ancient text Togail Bruidne D Derga makes reference to the Curragh being the site of some chariot racing during the time of Conaire Mr, who had been a ruling monarch sometime between 110BC and 60 AD. [87][88][89][48], The Irish Stablestaff Association (ISSA) lobbies for improved working conditions and pay for stable staff. Some horses are better suited to flat tracks, while . The possibility of rescheduling the major Easter festivals at Cork and Fairyhouse, where the Boylesports Irish Grand National was scheduled for April 13, will be among the items for discussion, likewise the prospects for the 2020 Punchestown festival, which is due to get under way April 28. 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. 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. The Phoenix Stakes, a race for two-year-olds over five furlongs, was a popular annual feature at the Park for many years and while the venue was mainly a flat track, some hurdle racers were staged. The other elite Irish Racecourse, Leopardstown, dabbles in both jump and flat racing. With 391 Irish race meetings in 2023 you can experience the fun, atmosphere and excitement of attending a horse racing track in Ireland with the calendar season running from 1st January 2023 to the 31st December 2023. Races are primarily run on turf, with one floodlit all-weather track at Dundalk. "Apart from the media rights, Fairyhouse, for example, has lost its big pay day. "Many of those are already committed with coverings for 2020, so that equation is not attractive. [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. Trust us its an experience youll never forget. Whether youre a regular race-goer or just looking for a one-off day out, racing in Ireland will meet all of your needs and exceed your expectations. Betting Sites - Best UK Online Bookmakers & Sports Betting Websites. [26] The first racing festival at the Ballybrit racecourse took place in the following year, with a reported 40,000 spectators in attendance. If you look at a Deloitte report we did in 2018, it showed the income of racecourses back in 2016 was 52 million. Arkle (1957 1970) was possibly the most popular horse in the history of Ireland. These include: All racing in Ireland is governed by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI). The subsidiaries are the four racecourses, the Tote and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, and the threat of significant job losses looms over each. 23 of these are in Southern Ireland and 3 racecourses in Northern Ireland. Irelands racecourses are facing an economic perfect storm that wont be fixed by any resumption of racing behind closed doors. Horse racing takes place throughout the calendar year in Ireland. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. 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. There are two main racing tracks in Northern Ireland Downpatrick and Down Royal. Its membership comprises all Irish racecourses. With only one all-weather course in the country, at Dundalk, almost all racing in Ireland takes place on good old-fashioned mud and grass, but there is one extra and much-loved exception. This may result in transaction charges being levied by your bank. (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; The first equestrian events in the area took place in 1685, and the venue that stands today was built over 150 years ago. Some venues may offer cheap tickets, or do discounted prices for pensioners, students etc. All racetracks have different characteristics. Holders of that stock are looking at value diminishing in front of their eyes. It is unclear what any resumption date might be although the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association has suggested June 1st could be the earliest realistic option. Are you looking for a conventional horseshoe circuit, or something a little quirkier? The land was sold to Galway Country Council in 1978. [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). [86][48], The Association of Irish Racecourse Owners (AIR) was established in 1964 to further the interests of racecourses and represent their owners. 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. What are the Best Racecourses in Ireland? [63], Ireland is seen by many as a "horse nation". Whether youre a fan of the jumps or flat racing, there are a plethora of racecourses in Ireland. The closure of betting shops, both here and in UK, means there is also an impact on media rights income even if racing does resume. Racehorses doing morning work at the Curragh last week. At the bottom end of the scale, the likes of Dundalk, Clonmel and Tipperary and Roscommon are all ideal for a more relaxed, peaceful outing due to their (relatively) low average spectator numbers. 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. At any day during the festival, you will enjoy a simply stunning view as Killarney Racecourse is hugely picturesque with its beautiful mountain backdrop. There are lots of options when looking to bet at an Irish racecourse, including on the course itself with independents (in Ireland, horse racing bookmakers are known as being some of the most fun and dynamic in the world) but check out the best current online bookies below or read more here in our in-depth guide best Irish betting sites or the great betting sites below: As the Co-Founder of British Racecourses, I love the chance to share my enjoyment of racing with others. Week-long race meetings are rare as mentioned above but there is another in Ireland, this point again illustrating just how much the locals love this sport, with this further seven-day feast coming courtesy of Galway. 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've often said that the smaller racecourses have good business models because they have relatively low costs, they have media rights incomes, and they have gate receipts. What section would you like to sit in the paddocks or a private box? That works well for racing fans; meetings are among the most popular sporting events in the Irish capital, and it is comparatively simple to reach Dublin through a range of transport means. 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. For racing north of the border, although Down Royal has some quality meetings, the fixture we are going to most recommend is the Ulster National day at Downpatrick. For an alternative but very similar race, Fairyhouse, located close to Dublin, holds the Irish Grand National every easter Monday and this too never manages to disappoint. In most cases it was lack of funding that had been the problem but in more modern times governments have been more aware of the positive impact racing has on the Irish economy. Timeform racecourse guides Horse racing free bet offers Review Get up to 20 back as cash if your first bet loses New Customer Offer. The HRI has a number of responsibilities, including the management of the national Thoroughbred studbooks (registration with Weatherbys is also a requirement for all Irish Throughbreds[79]), the development and operation of a number of racecourses, and the authorisation of bookmaking and funding. That outing was in the Balbriggan Handicap Hurdle over two miles in April 1962, when the future champion finished down the field. It is not just culturally significant to the country but also a key industry. You can wear fancy dress in some racecourses in Ireland. This is something amazing to attend as the leading three-year-old-thoroughbreds in Europe race to see who is the best. [30] The Emergency that accompanied the Second World War was reportedly beneficial to horse racing, as restrictions on foreign and motor travel led to an increase in spectator numbers. If you are someone that loves the thrill of jumps racing, this lengthy battle will be right up your street. Their summer festival regularly ends up bathed in sunshine and there is a jovial atmosphere throughout. Richard Dunwoody is another legend of the sport, notching up 1,700 career victories across a multitude of meetings. According to a HRI-commissioned Deloitte report that was published in 2017, the core racing and breeding sectors sustain 15,200 full time jobs. Generally racecourse financial positions before this wasn't too bad, but this is just a catastrophic shock that nobody can prepare for.". They created what we know today as the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board but the first name the group took was the Society of Sportsmen before changing into the Irish Jockey Club and then the Turf Club in 1784. If you prefer the jumps, traditional races such as The Irish Gold Cup, Irish Grand National and Irish Champion Hurdle are the highlights of the national hunt programme. With Tuam racecourse being hit by dwindling attendances, the decision was taken to hold its final fixture on Friday, 3 August, 1973. Apart from forfeiting significant gate receiptsFairyhouse's three-day Easter gathering attracted 23,000 racegoers in 2019media rights revenue works out at an average of approximately 50,000 per fixture. It does not boast as many courses as Great Britain, but with Ireland having around one racecourse per 270,000 inhabitants, it has a much higher per capita rate, the highest in the world in fact. National Hunt racing, flat racing and all-weather racing takes place throughout the year in Ireland. 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. With 24 courses currently in the Republic of Ireland and two courses in Northern Ireland it is not only a hugely popular spectator sport but also a global centre for breeding and training thoroughbreds. The Curragh only stages flat racing, while Punchestown is used solely for National Hunt racing. Hely-Hutchinson holds the distinction of being the only jockey to ride Arkle on the racecourse and not win on the great horse. Do you enjoy jumps (national hunt) or flat racing? 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. This flat racing event is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds (colts and fillies), and it takes place at the Curragh racecourse in late June every year. With the action taking place on a public beach, virtually all facilities (which are very limited) are only set up for the meeting and are dismantled straight afterwards. The racing of horses has a long history on the island, being mentioned in some of the earliest texts. The rules of Irish racing were devised by William Temple in 1673. Flat racing takes centre stage between May and October, with all-weather action taking place at Dundalk races throughout the calendar year. What is the Oldest Racecourse in Ireland? Winning 27 of the 35 races he entered, Arkle remains a national hero. The longer this goes on, the more racecourses will lose their big income earners.". The horses owner, David Coughlan, was a director of the track. Picking Winners: How To Study Horse Racing Form. While Punchestown focuses solely on jumps racing, the Curragh is a flat-racing venue. The usual caveats will apply if fancy dress is allowed no costumes that could cause offence to other patrons. Max refund for this offer is 20. Favored Forte Avoids Unfavorable Draw in Kentucky Derby, Wet Paint Installed as 5-2 Favorite in Kentucky Oaks, Owner/Breeder Looks Past Tragedy to a Brighter Future, Wild On Ice Euthanized Following Derby Work, Forget Two Minutes, 2021 Derby Unresolved in Two Years, Confidence Game Takes Fledgling Syndicate to the Derby, Plus News, Analysis, Entries, Results & Replays, Favorite Forte Draws Post 15, Hit Show Draws 1, Three Things You Might Not Know About: Kingsbarns, Three Things You Might Not Know About: Angel Of Empire, Catching Up With Old Friends: Silver Charm, Belleza de Arteaga Victorious in Gran Premio Criadores. 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. The money you bet is critical to the country as a whole. This massive building, known as the Aga Khan stand, now proudly stands as the centre piece of the entire course, providing superb views of the action. The usual rules about decency (I.E. In fact, the only permanent building you will find at Laytown is a block of toilets. [6][7][8][52][53], Horse Racing Ireland recognises the following racecourses:[46], Races have previously been held under the Rules of Racing at a number of other locations. As of now, all sports are banned until at least April 19 due to the COVID-19 crisis. Racecourses and the events they host provide some 1.1 billion to the Irish economy each and every year. 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. But they are going to lose all that the longer racing is off, so it is a real worry. The standard of horses competing is low but this really is a truly unique spectacle in UK or Irish racing. Local history groups might have researched the racecourse in their area and be able to add detail to the article. This is a day at the races that unfolds on the beach, on a level sand surface. Downpatrick is the oldest racecourse in Ireland, with an illustrious history to match such as a status. [23] In the 1830s, artificial courses were laid out in numerous locations, in a similar fashion to flat racing courses, with weight allowances based on the age of the animal, a predecessor to today's National Hunt. "I'd be very worried about the racecourses," Kavanagh said. June 29 Limerick, Kilbeggan (NH) July 1 Leopardstown, Tipperary (NH) July 2 Sligo . Wednesday evening meetings were very well attended, especially the fixtures during the week of the Spring Show and the Horse Show at the RDS. Flat options were gradually phased out over the . We are now lucky enough to own some fantastic racehorses who we will follow around the tracks and we have had some great wins. We start with the Summer Festival in Killarney, which runs for five successive days in July. On top of commercial income, which also includes catering and a slice of on-course betting turnover, the vital media rights money, believed to be worth about 30 million a year to tracks, is cut while betting shops are closed. The road, which was closed in both directions, has now reopened. The thoroughbreds that run in Ireland today are all descendants of a trio of stallions, imported from the middle east in the 18th Century this is the same with most thoroughbred racing. [b] The minimum prize money per race in Ireland is currently (2017) set at 9,000, with the highest average prize money per race in Europe. Incidentally, this ambitious project was completed exactly two decades after the course spent 7m on developing the main grandstand and enclosure. The latest set of teacher strikes begin today, meaning some schools in England and Northern Ireland will be shut. [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. Races were held at Tralee until 2008, when the course was sold for redevelopment. Here is the full list of 26 racecourses in Ireland: Throughout the remainder of this guide, we will give you more information about each Irish racecourse, simply follow any links off to more in-depth guides, which will include a particular focus on the major sites, cities and events. The Phoenix Park should be remembered by older racegoers as a course where it was very difficult to name the winner in close finishes with the spectators a good distance away from the winning post. The mid sixties saw the demise of Hurst Park in '62, Lincoln and Lewes in '64, and Bromford Bridge and Bogside in '65. How many racecourses are there in Ireland? Are There Any Gambling Restrictions at Irish Racecourses? Germany is expected to allow a resumption of racing next week, and France is set to do the same a week later, so there are growing hopes within the sector here that action can start again in some form behind closed doors. Going racing is a unique experience and with 26 racecourses in Ireland to choose from, every taste is sure to be catered for. This is partly down to plentiful rain the island of Ireland gets, keeping the ground soft enough for NH racing even in the summer months. Fairyhouse, along with Leopardstown, Navan, and Tipperary, are controlled by HRI. [82], The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA) represents the Thoroughbred breeding industry both in Ireland and abroad, and is involved with a number of industry bodies. The biggest event in Irish horse racing is the Irish Derby. The three most famous courses in Ireland, the ones that your average UK fan might well have heard of and that host the highest class meetings, are Punchestown, Leopardstown and Curragh (also referred to as the Curragh). The five of the biggest racecourses in Ireland are: For something a little more quirky, attend the one and only meeting held at Laytown in September. 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. If you are into racing, seeing the big names in the flesh is an exciting spectacle but if you are more of a casual observer then these may not be the best meetings for you, especially as tickets for them often come at a premium. Only two meetings take place at the County Kerry course during the calendar year, a three-day affair in June and the week-long Harvest Festival in September. There are 26 racecourses in Ireland, each of which offers something different. All racetracks have different characteristics. Laytown is a Co Meath track. However, Kavanagh expressed particular concern for provincial tracks. "[13], Racing became more competitive with the introduction, in 1666, under King Charles II, of the King's Plate Races,[11][14] designed so as to favour a fast yet strong horse, capable of winning a 4-mile race with a weight load of 12 stone. John Breslin. Baldoyle was a popular venue for racegoers, staging races over jumps and on the flat. 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. Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved. Most courses in Ireland are mixed tracks holding both flat and jumps racing on the turf. What are the Biggest Racecourses in Ireland? 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. Some horses are better suited to flat tracks, while more balanced individuals may do their best work on an undulating course. The first recorded meeting at Curragh took in 1727, but horses would race on this site before records began to be kept. For so many years, Ireland has been a dominant force on the world's racing stage, enjoying . In addition to music performances and the excitement of the high-class Galway Plate, this festival also gives you the perfect excuse to dress up extra smartly. Another Tom Dreaper-trained star of that era, Flyingbolt, won a hurdle race at the track in 1964. Over time, as things become clearer, you have to take a further view on staff. ITV Racing picks up certain races during the major Irish meetings. The main jumps season runs between November and April. Many followers of the sport felt sadness after the last meeting in 1972. In 1939, a grant of 10,000 was made available in recognition of the course being graded as one of the second-tier racing venues in the country. 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. Race meetings were increasingly advertised in the press, and by 1750 even the English Racing Calendar advertised some 71 Irish events. Such a development will be welcome news across all sectors but wont prevent Irelands 26 racecourses from facing an uncertain financial outlook. The oldest racecourse in Ireland is Downpatrick, which first opened their gates in 1685. Even after a resumption there will still be a significant loss of revenue. 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. Ireland has bred some of the most celebrated and successful horses of all time, thanks in no small part to the climate and soil structure. An afternoon (or evening) at the races in Ireland is an affordable day out and this is partly why so many people love giving it a try. Track Characteristics. [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. Do Irish Racecourses Have Different Rules of Racing? Some British racecourses are known for being reasonably strict when it comes to their dress code but Ireland, as a whole, takes a more relaxed stance. For a few years the course held the distinction of opening the Irish flat racing season on St. Patricks Day. The home of Irish flat racing, The Curragh staged its first race in 1727, with Leopardstown and Punchestown opening in the mid-1800s. Can I Wear Fancy Dress to Racecourse in Ireland?
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