The mid sixties saw the demise of Hurst Park in '62, Lincoln and Lewes in '64, and Bromford Bridge and Bogside in '65. Place your FIRST bet on any ChNew customers only. [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. 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. Flat options were gradually phased out over the . 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. Laytown is a Co Meath track. Previously, Downpatrick was home to both Flat and National Hunt racing. June 29 Limerick, Kilbeggan (NH) July 1 Leopardstown, Tipperary (NH) July 2 Sligo . [66] Horse race attendance is a strong contributor to tourism, with approximately 80,000 people travelling to Ireland annually to attend racing events. As of now, all sports are banned until at least April 19 due to the COVID-19 crisis. 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. All racetracks have different characteristics. In terms of geology and climate, our country is an ideal location for the raising of young horses. [85][80], The Association of Irish Racehorse Owners (AIRO) is the official representative body for racehorse owners in Ireland, and has over 1,900 members. The usual rules about decency (I.E. Who is the Most Famous Irish Racehorse of All Time? If you have even a casual interest in racing, Ireland is a must-visit. Even though the venue staged some high-class racing, notably the Irish Champion Stakes, sadly, the popular and picturesque course staged its final meeting on Saturday, 30 October, 1990. The ancient text Togail Bruidne D Derga (Destruction of the Mansion of Da-Derga) mentions chariot races taking place on the Curragh during the lifetime of the monarch Conaire Mr,[1][2] whose reign is disputed but is believed to have occurred sometime between 110 BC[3] and 60 AD. Its a perfect storm for racecourses. In the Republic of Ireland, in 1926, a bill was introduced that legalised off-course betting shops and the Tote followed four years later. Read more about him in our Best Hennessey Gold Cup winners blog. "But in that context we are also trying to scenario plan. Check out the information that we have provided on each location and choose which event or festival youd like to attend. By Richard Forristal/Racing Post; March 27, 2020 Theyve literally lost all of their income, said the HRIs chief executive Brian Kavanagh. [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. Winning these races made horses very sought after for breeding purposes so there could be additional income raised through stud money. A valid Flat or National Hunt licence must be held to ride in either type of race. 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. Dublin, Cork and Kildare, for example, all have plenty of options. 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. 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 Republic of Ireland is especially horse racing mad and as we have noted it is here where the vast majority of the Emerald Isles tracks are found. [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. 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. [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. This is something amazing to attend as the leading three-year-old-thoroughbreds in Europe race to see who is the best. Horse racing takes place throughout the calendar year in Ireland. Racing festivals are a major part of the culture in Ireland. Race meetings were increasingly advertised in the press, and by 1750 even the English Racing Calendar advertised some 71 Irish events. Racing at the new venue continued until the 1930s before there was a break until a company was set up to purchase the course from the OConnells. For any keen golfers out there, it is worth mentioning that in the centre of Leopardstowns course you can find an 18-hole golf course, making this the perfect track for a dual-focus break. Kavanagh also expressed his fears for the sort of industry that will be left when the coronavirus eventually relents. Timeform racecourse guides Horse racing free bet offers Review Get up to 20 back as cash if your first bet loses New Customer Offer. This meeting boasts twelve Grade 1 races - the most in one event across Ireland - highlighted traditionally by the Punchestown Gold Cup and the Punchestown . 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. Records indicated that between 1751 and today, racing took place at over 400 different spots across Ireland. The usual caveats will apply if fancy dress is allowed no costumes that could cause offence to other patrons. 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. 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 the many, many spectators that visit, it is a place that boasts some of the very best facilities anywhere, partly thanks to a striking 81m, four-tier grandstand that was completed in 2019. The first meeting at Tuam was a four-day fixture and that was later increased to six days. 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. The racing of horses has a long history on the island, being mentioned in some of the earliest texts. It is not just culturally significant to the country but also a key industry. 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 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. Although the 1916 Rising resulted a 6-week ban on race meetings, they continued shortly afterwards. [50] The majority of racecourses are turf, with Dundalk being the only floodlit all-weather polytrack. "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. 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. Based in County Kildare, the Curragh is the most prestigious flat racecourse in Ireland. 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. Betting & Tax In The UK Do I Have To Pay Tax On My Gambling Winnings? The rules of Irish racing were devised by William Temple in 1673. 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. Leopardstown, Navan, Fairyhouse and Tipperary Racecourses operate under this umbrella structure. Trust us its an experience youll never forget. 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. They are not race meetings as you would traditionally know them. 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. What will that market look like now? There are 26 racecourses in Ireland, each of which offers something different. Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare. Breeding of racehorses is also a big moneyspinner in Ireland, as the country produces some of the finest colts and fillies in the world. 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. All four Classics take place here, the Irish Derby, Irish Oaks, Irish 2000 Guineas and Irish 1000 Guineas. 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. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. As racing can be a fun day out, many people like to attend in fancy dress, especially if tying in a day at the races with a stag or hen party. Two owners per horse will be allowed to attend. 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. RACECOURSES: HERE TODAY AND GONE TOMORROW. Translink has confirmed a number of . 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. [10][21] In particular, the Thoroughbred, and horse racing in general, is seen as one of the country's main traditions:[66][67]. Subsequently, over the past century or so, horse racing in Ireland has benefitted from both direct investment and also favourable legislation. 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. 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. These include: All racing in Ireland is governed by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI). This list may not reflect recent changes . 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. In 2020, the Irish Derby boasted 2.25m in prize money. Were in the hands of government on this, he said before stressing that behind closed doors fixtures are very different events to normal meetings. [76][77][10] They may also be sold directly by trainers, breeders or agents. Jockeys' weights will increase by 2lb as a result of racecourse saunas being closed, while no owners are now permitted to attend meetings. Ireland has a rich history of horse racing, with official sporting contests dating back to the mid seventeenth century. Hely-Hutchinson holds the distinction of being the only jockey to ride Arkle on the racecourse and not win on the great horse. 5. Races are primarily run on turf, with one floodlit all-weather track at Dundalk. 23 of these are in Southern Ireland and 3 racecourses in Northern Ireland. There are 26 racecourses in Ireland, 23 in the Republic of Ireland and 3 in Northern Ireland. Wednesday evening meetings were very well attended, especially the fixtures during the week of the Spring Show and the Horse Show at the RDS. Roughly 8,000 Thoroughbreds are born each year,[61] with 20% of the yearly foal crop publicly auctioned by bloodstock auction houses, such as Tattersalls and Goffs. The Galway Races (Irish: Rsa na Gaillimhe) is an Irish horse-racing festival that starts on the last Monday of July every year. 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. Of those, 171 fall directly under HRI's remit. As a tourist, you will be welcomed to racecourses with open arms. The longer this goes on, the more racecourses will lose their big income earners.". [68] Horse breeding and training is a key economic player in regions of the country where there are few employment opportunities. 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. [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. Picking Winners: How To Study Horse Racing Form. It is a member of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, the European and Mediterranean Federation of Horseracing Authorities and the European Pattern Committee. [72] Point-to-point races are open only to non-professional jockeys, who must register as "Qualified Riders" but need not meet the requirements for Flat or National Hunt licences. 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. That outing was in the Balbriggan Handicap Hurdle over two miles in April 1962, when the future champion finished down the field. [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. 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. The first recorded meeting at Curragh took in 1727, but horses would race on this site before records began to be kept. 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. 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. 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. Leopardstown Racecourse would have looked at the year of 2020 with such optimism [] While many Irish horses enjoy legendary status, these perpetual front runners are regarded on a different level. Most racecourses in Ireland will allow this in the paddocks, but contact the course or check their website before turning up to be on the safe side. According to a HRI-commissioned Deloitte report that was published in 2017, the core racing and breeding sectors sustain 15,200 full time jobs. "What worries me is the investment of people in different layers of the industry, be it point-to-point people, the breeze-up people or people with foals to bring to the market in the autumn. Jump racing at Punchestown (first recorded in 1824) became a permanent fixture in 1860 when stands and enclosures were erected and many other racecourses soon followed. Its really a matter for the medical authorities so Im not going to speculate one way or the other. Horse racing was temporarily banned on 4 May 1917, following complaints concerning the oat intake of Thoroughbreds. Racing at Tralee dated back to the 18th century before the final fixture was staged at Ballybeggan Park in 2008. At any day during the festival, you will enjoy a simply stunning view as Killarney Racecourse is hugely picturesque with its beautiful mountain backdrop. (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; June 26 Curragh, Tipperary (NH) June 27 Curragh. 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. Dundalk is Irelands only all-weather flat course and theres also flat racing on the beach at Laytown. A few years before, in 1860, Punchestown racecourse became permanent hosts to jump racing when they established stands and an enclosure. Will you need parking on-site or accessible public transport links and a bus shuttle to the course? You do not need to restrict yourself to one place. Racing took place behind closed doors at Down Royal on Tuesday Patrick McCann Taoiseach Leo Varadkar made a ministerial broadcast to the nation on the same evening, revealing the current emergency is likely to go on well beyond March 29 and the number of Covid-19 cases could reach 15,000 over the next two weeks. [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. Likely losses at the 26 racecourses in Ireland for 2020 has been forecast at nearly 15 million in total due to lockdown and racing having to take place behind closed doors. John Breslin. Ireland is a small island, yet sustains 26 unique and bustling racecourses, demonstrating the sheer passion of the Irish for the sport of horse racing. There are 26 racecourses in Ireland, each of which offers something different. In 2016, the total prize money awarded was 56.8 million. [31] The Irish Racing Board, the predecessor to Horse Racing Ireland, was set up in 1945 to oversee the economics of the industry,[30][29] followed by the Irish Horse Authority in 1995 and Horse Racing Ireland in 2001. Some horses are better suited to flat tracks, while more balanced individuals may do their best work on an undulating course. In 1945, the Racing Board was established specifically to deal with financing the sport and this helped increase racecourse investment and also prize money. These are just two historical and legendary racecourses in Ireland, though the country boasts many. For many years the Parkmore course on the Dublin Road outside the town staged an annual fixture on the Friday after the big Galway meeting. These days, Ireland is considered the world leader in thoroughbred racing and breeding both in National Hunt Racing and flat, racing takes place nearly every day. Run over a minimum of 2 miles, National Hunt races require the horses to clear a number of obstacles. 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 Fearing further unrest, the British government gave a concession to allow the Curragh festival of 810 May, finally relenting on 20 June. We will sit down and look at the potential impact and the steps we can take,"Kavanagh continued. 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. [81][80] In January 2018 a new organisation, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, will become the regulatory body for horse racing in Ireland. 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. [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. Leopardstown's flat track is very tight, so it can pay to be drawn low, especially for horses who like to be ridden prominently. All offers subject to terms and conditions. How Many Racecourses are There in Ireland? However, these two racecourses are also complemented by Farmacaffley and the Dundalk Stadium. The loss of the track was a big blow to the midlands, but another Co. Westmeath course, Kilbeggan, grew from strength to strength. Youll be enjoying a famous meeting in no time at all thanks to Horse Racing Ireland. (i) Minor meetings which were not noteworthy or widely reported are not included in the dates; 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. [4][6][7][8] There are later mentions of "horse matches" in Galway in the 13th century under the "Kings Plate Articles". 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. 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). [51][10] Laytown holds the distinction of being the only beach racecourse in the country adhering to the rules of the Turf Club, with one race meeting held each year on a natural sand track;[10][26] however unaffiliated beach races are frequently held on beaches in some parts of the country. Sky Bet Horse Racing - these offers are not valid from 2pm on Fri 14th until 23.59 on Sat 15th April. 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. 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. There is some evidence of horse racing taking place in Ireland around two millennium ago.
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