Place your FIRST bet on any ChNew customers only. But they are going to lose all that the longer racing is off, so it is a real worry. [68] Horse breeding and training is a key economic player in regions of the country where there are few employment opportunities. [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. If you have information on any course then email me at johnwslusar@gmail.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. [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 four Classics take place here, the Irish Derby, Irish Oaks, Irish 2000 Guineas and Irish 1000 Guineas. 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. How much are you prepared to pay for admission to the course although most are very reasonably priced. 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. It is the nations undisputed king of flat racing despite it providing a rather unusual test courtesy of its horse-shoe-shaped track (used for races of one mile and longer). The course that typically boasts the highest average attendance is Galway, so this is always a safe bet should you want a vibrant atmosphere. [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. 2023 racinginsider.com. June 28 Curragh. Do you enjoy jumps (national hunt) or flat racing? Racing resumed at Tralee in October 1946 and fast forward a few decades and some famous horses won at the course on the way to more notable triumphs. 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. Irish horse racing is an amazing experience and part of the cultural fabric of the country. In terms of national hunt races, Dawn Run (19781986) is the most successful mare in the history of equestrian sport. Racing here, along with all sports, has been cancelled for over a month due to the coronavirus emergency. Teachers who . Rail - Clonmel station Bus - Clonmel bus station Air - Waterford, Cork or Shannon The Curragh only stages flat racing, while Punchestown is used solely for National Hunt racing. 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. Sometimes, that isn't possible. We are now lucky enough to own some fantastic racehorses who we will follow around the tracks and we have had some great wins. How will you get to the racecourse? It requires guts, stamina and talent to win and sometimes these can come from an unlikely source. 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. Mounting financial problems led to the closure of Mullingar Racecourse with the final meeting being held on Monday, July 1st, 1967. 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. [70], In Ireland it is not uncommon for jockeys to ride in both National Hunt and Flat races,[71] however, the weight allowance for Flat is lower than that of National Hunt. 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. If horse racing at its best is what you are looking for, Ireland is certainly the place to find it. Realistically thats up to 60 million now. [75], In Ireland, racehorses may be owned solely, in partnership or in syndicate. The racing of horses has a long history on the island, being mentioned in some of the earliest texts. The Phoenix Park at Ashtown on the Navan Road north of Dublin city was a popular horse racing venue for many years, having been opened in August 1902. 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. Horse Racing Ireland recognises the following racecourses: [46] Ulster Downpatrick Down Royal Munster Clonmel Cork Killarney Limerick Listowel Thurles Tipperary Tramore Leinster Bellewstown The Curragh Dundalk Fairyhouse Gowran Park Kilbeggan Laytown Leopardstown Naas Navan Punchestown Wexford Connacht Ballinrobe Ballybrit (Galway) Roscommon What is the Biggest Event in Irish Horse Racing? The seven-day Galway Races take place next week and racecourse manager Michael Moloney says the cost of not having fans in attendance at Ballybrit is likely to be in excess of one-million Euro. The busiest days of the festival are Wednesday, when the Galway Plate is held, and Thursday, when the Galway Hurdle and Ladies . If you are planning a visit and wondering which of the 26 Irish racecourses is best for you to visit will depend on a range of factors. 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. 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. RACECOURSES: HERE TODAY AND GONE TOMORROW. Horse Racing Ireland chief executive Brian Kavanagh says it is at the discretion of individual racecourses as to how they wish to utilise the government's increase from 200 to 500 people being permitted to attend outdoor gatherings, such as race meetings. Thats not exactly small change! Are you hoping to attend a major event on the global racing stage or local race meetings? Two owners per horse will be allowed to attend. You can wear fancy dress in some racecourses in Ireland. However, as the death toll of people in Ireland with the viruswas revealed to have more than doubled from nine to 19Thursday, with the number of confirmed cases hitting 1,819, the likelihood is that the period of prohibition will be extended and behind-closed-doors options may remain similarly improbable. Held at Ballybrit Racecourse in Galway, Ireland over seven days, it is one of the longest of all the race meets that occur in Ireland.. 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. "Apart from the media rights, Fairyhouse, for example, has lost its big pay day. Do Irish Racecourses Have Different Rules of Racing? 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. [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. At any day during the festival, you will enjoy a simply stunning view as Killarney Racecourse is hugely picturesque with its beautiful mountain backdrop. They are not race meetings as you would traditionally know them. [9], The earliest datable evidence, however, is a 1603 royal warrant entitling the governor of Derry to hold fairs and markets at which horse races could be staged. Max refund for this offer is 20. 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. There was another closure 12 months later when the Tuam course in north Co. Galway held its final meeting, ending an association with horse racing dating back to October 1754. 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. Leopardstown, Naas and Cork are three of several racecourses in Ireland that host both jumps and flat racing action. Run over a minimum of 2 miles, National Hunt races require the horses to clear a number of obstacles. All offers subject to terms and conditions. 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. 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. There are two main racing tracks in Northern Ireland Downpatrick and Down Royal. 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. 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. Whether or not the government eases social restrictions . The famous trainers like Aidan OBrien and Willie Mullinsall dominate winning many events on home soil, as well as on UK and English racecourses,where they often send horses to compete. "Our objective is to avoid closures, but there is a risk, same as there is for all other sectors in the economy," he added. In 2020, the Irish Derby boasted 2.25m in prize money. The Galway Races (Irish: Rsa na Gaillimhe) is an Irish horse-racing festival that starts on the last Monday of July every year. [90][84], For details on individual owners or breeders, see, Some sources place the formation of the INHSC at 1866, but this is when its British counterpart, the Grand National Hunt Committee, was recognised by the Jockey Club, Listed in order of prize money, these races all appear in the 2011 list of the 380 richest horse races in the world, at positions 52, 141, 286, 357 and 358, respectively, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Category:Irish racehorse owners and breeders, International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, European and Mediterranean Federation of Horseracing Authorities, "Beal Bn races extends to beat the tide - Independent.ie", "Racing the Irish Way: A Guide to Racing in Ireland", "ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT ROBINSON AT THE 33rd ANNUAL CONGRESS OF THE BRITISH EQUINE VETERINARY ASSOCIATION, ON 15 SEPTEMBER, 1994", "Sporting and cultural life in Cork in the early 20th century", "Provisional Summary of Point to Point Racing (Online Version) 26 September 2015 - 13 December 2015", "About - Laytown Races Horse Racing on the Beach", "Visit Leopardstown - Racing Guide | Leopardstown Racecourse", "Irish Thoroughbred Marketing - Point-to-Point racing", "The Irish Horse Industry Report, January 2016", "Endurance Riding in Ireland - ILDRA - Affiliated to Horse Sport Ireland - Irish Long Distance Riding Association (-1)", "Endurance Ireland The future of Irish Endurance", "Irish Racecourses - Going Racing in Ireland", "Review of Certain Aspects of the Irish Horse Racing Industry", "Irish Thoroughbred Marketing - Racecourses", "Irish Thoroughbred Marketing - Racing in Ireland", "Irish Racecourses and Horseracing Tracks in Ireland", "Louth Hunt Point-to-Point moves to Bellurgan", "Irish Thoroughbred Marketing - Breeding", "How Irish jockeys saddled up and took a great leap forward to world-class level", "New Irish horse racing regulatory board to start in 2018", "About us - Irish Racehorse Trainers Association | Irish Racehorse Trainers Association", "Irish Stablestaff Association - Employment Protection", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Horse_racing_in_Ireland&oldid=1149991121, This page was last edited on 15 April 2023, at 17:46. While many Irish horses enjoy legendary status, these perpetual front runners are regarded on a different level. As a tourist, you will be welcomed to racecourses with open arms. 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. To maintain its reputation as an elite jump racing venue, Punchestown has had to regularly update and modernise its offering. The first recorded meeting at Curragh took in 1727, but horses would race on this site before records began to be kept. We support responsible gambling, so in case you require information about gambling addiction or need support please use the link BeGambleAware. [66] Horse race attendance is a strong contributor to tourism, with approximately 80,000 people travelling to Ireland annually to attend racing events. 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. 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.. HORSE owners will be allowed to return to racecourses in Ireland from Monday. It may be cheaper to exchange currency in cash before heading to Ireland. close panel. If you are someone that loves the thrill of jumps racing, this lengthy battle will be right up your street. [87][88][89][48], The Irish Stablestaff Association (ISSA) lobbies for improved working conditions and pay for stable staff. 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. With that in mind, here are the five best racecourses to visit in Ireland. "While within the racecourses there is still maintenance work to be done and so on, a number of other parts of our organisation are completely racing related. [34], National Hunt racing, or Jump racing, is run year-round in Ireland, but the main season takes place from November until the end of April, coinciding with the lull of the flat racing season. In 2015, it was announced the course would enjoy a 6.2m makeover which included the construction of the 4m Hunt Stand, something that was completed in 2018. [63], Ireland is seen by many as a "horse nation". Wednesday evening meetings were very well attended, especially the fixtures during the week of the Spring Show and the Horse Show at the RDS. The ancient Brehon Law that governed the country until the 17th Century insisted that the sons of the king were provided with horses for racing. Betting Sites - Best UK Online Bookmakers & Sports Betting Websites. [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. The oldest racecourse in Ireland is Downpatrick, which first opened their gates in 1685. [30], Measures introduced by these organisations have helped the industry go from strength to strength. 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. Ten such meetings were run here before racing stopped on March 24th. Any first step back behind closed doors would be a welcome step although the HRI boss wouldnt speculate on a potential resumption date despite encouraging signs recently in France and Germany. To this day, the Turf Club and HRI (Horse Racing Ireland) regulates Irish racing. 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. In 2016, the total prize money awarded was 56.8 million. There are 26 racecourses in Ireland, 23 in the Republic of Ireland and 3 in Northern Ireland. These are just two historical and legendary racecourses in Ireland, though the country boasts many. The home of Irish flat racing, The Curragh staged its first race in 1727, with Leopardstown and Punchestown opening in the mid-1800s. For this challenge horses have to tackle 16 fences, often on soft ground, across a distance exceeding three and a half miles. The Curragh is a flat only course whilst Kilbeggan, Thurles, Wexford and Downpatrick hold only National Hunt racing. Empty betting ring: closed for business at Limerick on Sunday Credit: Alain Barr (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; [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. That outing was in the Balbriggan Handicap Hurdle over two miles in April 1962, when the future champion finished down the field. 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. When it comes to flat racing, the draw is massively influential. According to a HRI-commissioned Deloitte report that was published in 2017, the core racing and breeding sectors sustain 15,200 full time jobs. 1 Copyright 2023 British Racecourses - britishracecourses.org is intended for the sole use of the individuals over 18 years of age. Winning 27 of the 35 races he entered, Arkle remains a national hero. In terms of geology and climate, our country is an ideal location for the raising of young horses. It is not until you reach the 1600s though that you get more substantial evidence of proper horse racing taking place on Irish soil in a form that we would recognise it today. Of those, 171 fall directly under HRI's remit. Gamble responsibly and Think about your choices. 23 of these are in Southern Ireland and 3 racecourses in Northern Ireland. 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. 5. These include: All racing in Ireland is governed by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI). Who is the Most Successful Irish Jockey of All Time? 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 turf Flat season runs from March to November and there is a Flat winter championship staged at Dundalk. For safety purposes, horses can only compete in straight line sprints but it is quite the sight to behold horses storming right down the coastline. Are you looking for a conventional horseshoe circuit, or something a little quirkier? The home of Irish flat racing, The Curragh staged its first race in 1727, with Leopardstown and Punchestown opening in the mid-1800s. Some schools across England and Northern Ireland are closed today. This makes for ideal conditions for breeding and raising racing horses for success. 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. The last time owners were permitted on racecourses in Ireland was in September of 2020. 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 frightening thing for a lot of these business is that you are going from something to zero. Racing TV owns the exclusive rights to all Irish horses racing in the UK. [74] There are over 700 licensed trainers in the country, the majority of which are licensed to train horses for both Flat and National Hunt, although they usually specialise in one. When it comes to racing, Ireland takes itself very seriously and racing is a big deal. With 26 racecourses in Northern and The Republic of Ireland, there are plenty of racing events and racecourses to choose from. Dublin, Cork and Kildare, for example, all have plenty of options. [29], In the post-independence period, many efforts were made to regulate and support the horse racing industry in Ireland, and a greater effort was made to promote Irish horses internationally. Both will lose four meetings in that time frame. The oldest racecourse in Ireland is Downpatrick, which first opened their gates in 1685. Baldoyle racecourse in north County Dublin staged meetings from March 1868 until the final fixture at the venue on 26 August, 1972. The focus is on the bigger national health picture at the moment, Kavanagh said. In fact, the only permanent building you will find at Laytown is a block of toilets. A few years later, the course was bought by Percy Nugent from Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath before being taken over by the Mullingar Racecourse Company. 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 . Published. Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare. For the duration of its training, the horse is stabled with the trainer, who is responsible for its general upkeep, as well as training. The Curragh is a flat only course whilst Kilbeggan, Thurles, Wexford and Downpatrick hold only National Hunt racing. The first meeting at Tuam was a four-day fixture and that was later increased to six days. In 1945, the Racing Board was established specifically to deal with financing the sport and this helped increase racecourse investment and also prize money. Subscribe FREE Today! Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. [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. As the old saying goes, its a case of horses for courses. Ireland's racecourses are facing an economic "perfect storm" that won't be fixed by any resumption of racing behind closed doors. Can I Wear Fancy Dress to Racecourse in Ireland? Most courses in Ireland are mixed tracks holding both flat and jumps racing on the turf. Here are the racecourses closest to Dublin: This does not, in any way, diminish the qualities of other racecourses 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. Most courses in Ireland are mixed tracks holding both flat and jumps racing on the turf. 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. For many it is the most beautiful, scenic racecourse on the entire continent and we would probably not dispute that. 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. 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.
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