Timeform racecourse guides Horse racing free bet offers Review Get up to 20 back as cash if your first bet loses New Customer Offer. "I'd be very worried about the racecourses," Kavanagh said. Whats more, the festival features a complete mix of flat and jumps racing, ensuring it serves up a rich and varied racing experience with something for everyone. We start with the Summer Festival in Killarney, which runs for five successive days in July. It is not just culturally significant to the country but also a key industry. We are now lucky enough to own some fantastic racehorses who we will follow around the tracks and we have had some great wins. There are 26 racecourses in Ireland, each of which offers something different. How Many Racecourses are There in Ireland? 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. That comes to 1.15 million across the 23 cards and illustrates the extent of six-figures losses that tracks will need to absorb when multiple fixtures are culled. Owners had not been able to attend race meetings since March with the majority of sport being held behind closed doors. Irish Racecourse Closures Underline Cost of Shutdown All sports are banned in Ireland until at least April 19 due to the COVID-19 crisis. There are 26 racecourses in Ireland, 23 in the Republic of Ireland and 3 in Northern Ireland. 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. How Important is the Horse Racing Industry to The Irish Economy? [61], It has been suggested that the success of Irish Thoroughbreds, both at home and abroad, is partly due to its climate and geography;[64][10][59][58][65] the wet, temperate climate and limestone-rich soil encourages the growth of calcium-containing grass,[10][65] while the mild temperatures and lack of seasonal variability allow year-round grazing. 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). 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. [77] Racehorse owners are the largest source of income to the Irish racehorse industry, contributing over 400 million each year. [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. There is a work aspect to racing, an industry aspect, that is different from other sports. Local history groups might have researched the racecourse in their area and be able to add detail to the article. If you have even a casual interest in racing, Ireland is a must-visit. Although the 1916 Rising resulted a 6-week ban on race meetings, they continued shortly afterwards. "All those elements are at risk, but our objective is to make sure as an industry we come through this episode intact and with the least damage done possible. 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. The Phoenix Beer Steeplechase was one of the most valuable races held at the midlands track. Obviously we are trying to protect jobs if we can but that will become more difficult the longer the break is. [54][55] Unaffiliated races are frequently held at many locations throughout the country. 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. The first recorded meeting at Curragh took in 1727, but horses would race on this site before records began to be kept. The usual caveats will apply if fancy dress is allowed no costumes that could cause offence to other patrons. Thoroughbred breeding in Ireland is intricately linked with Irish rural life and community. Well help you find the perfect course for your needs. Galway Races - Wikipedia Teachers will go on strike again today, meaning some schools in England and Northern Ireland will be partially or completely closed.. Teachers who are members of the National Education Union (NEU . You lose some of your race meeting costs but not enough to compensate. [19][20][21] The race, ran between locals Edmund Blake and Cornelius O'Callaghan, started a trend of racing cross-country, in a manner derived from fox hunting, with a prize replacing the quarry - a cask of wine in the original race. 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. 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. 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. The mid sixties saw the demise of Hurst Park in '62, Lincoln and Lewes in '64, and Bromford Bridge and Bogside in '65. [35][73], The Turf Club is responsible for licensing trainers. Whether youre a fan of the jumps or flat racing, there are a plethora of racecourses in Ireland. For many non-Irish nationals, Dublin is the beating heart of the country. 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. This may result in transaction charges being levied by your bank. Over time, as things become clearer, you have to take a further view on staff. "We will try to support the industry wherever we can and try to support the staff wherever we can, and we will work towards as swift resumption as possible, although there are clearly bigger issues for the country to be worried about now," Kavanagh said. 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. "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. 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. That outing was in the Balbriggan Handicap Hurdle over two miles in April 1962, when the future champion finished down the field. Rail - Clonmel station Bus - Clonmel bus station Air - Waterford, Cork or Shannon Richard Dunwoody is another legend of the sport, notching up 1,700 career victories across a multitude of meetings. 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. 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. 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. Aughnacloy: Three killed and four injured in A5 crash - BBC News For a few years the course held the distinction of opening the Irish flat racing season on St. Patricks Day. 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. 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. As part of British Racecourses, I enjoy visiting and reviewing the racecourses that we visit, all of which I think have something to offer and are brilliant in their own ways. Ireland has a rich history of horse racing, with official sporting contests dating back to the mid seventeenth century. [50] The majority of racecourses are turf, with Dundalk being the only floodlit all-weather polytrack. 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.. 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. Irish Racecourse and Horse Racing Fixtures - ITM Most races occur on the standard oval track, though. Today at 10:37. "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. There really is a huge selection though and the following are just our pick of the highlights. June 29 Limerick, Kilbeggan (NH) July 1 Leopardstown, Tipperary (NH) July 2 Sligo . 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. The oldest racecourse in Ireland is Downpatrick, which first opened their gates in 1685. As for tickets, a very standard, run-of-the-mill raceday will usually set an adult back in the region of 15, or around 13. On this page, you'll find our guides to all the Irish racecourses, including track history and characteristics, draw bias info, and vital trainer and jockey statistics. Share. Incidentally, this ambitious project was completed exactly two decades after the course spent 7m on developing the main grandstand and enclosure. Find out more about Irish racing, including a guide to the courses, a look at the main events and their history today: Here is a full alphabetical list of Irish racecourses, as you can see there are lots of options and racecourses spread across the entire country: Racing has always been a key pastime in Ireland. What is the Biggest Event in Irish Horse Racing? Equally, racing meetings are a huge social occasion with people from all walks of life coming together. As at Mullingar, Arkle ran there during the early part of his racing career. National Hunt racing, flat racing and all-weather racing takes place throughout the year in Ireland. 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. [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. These are then exported around the globe to compete in a variety of international meetings. It is a member of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, the European and Mediterranean Federation of Horseracing Authorities and the European Pattern Committee. The Earliest and Final dates for meetings stated on this site are open to interpretation for the following reasons:- The horses owner, David Coughlan, was a director of the track. Whether or not the government eases social restrictions . (i) Minor meetings which were not noteworthy or widely reported are not included in the dates; Some horses are better suited to flat tracks, while more balanced individuals may do their best work on an undulating course. Racing TV owns the exclusive rights to all Irish horses racing in the UK. non-offensive fancy dress) apply. A rail line in Northern Ireland has been closed after a person was hit by a train. We will sit down and look at the potential impact and the steps we can take,"Kavanagh continued. Teacher strikes: Is your child's school closed today? 5 Best Irish Racecourses to Visit In Your Lifetime There are no restrictions on tourists gambling at Irish racecourses. Kilcohan Park Greyhound Stadium (Waterford). Published. 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. Teachers who . 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. Family members who died in Co Tyrone A5 road crash named [86][48], The Association of Irish Racecourse Owners (AIR) was established in 1964 to further the interests of racecourses and represent their owners. For more European racing, sales, and bloodstock news, visit RacingPost.com. 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 will that market look like now? Both will lose four meetings in that time frame. Teacher strikes: Most NI schools close as five unions take action over [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 maximum gap between races will be 30 minutes in order to assist social distancing. . If you look at a Deloitte report we did in 2018, it showed the income of racecourses back in 2016 was 52 million. Their summer festival regularly ends up bathed in sunshine and there is a jovial atmosphere throughout. [10][21] In particular, the Thoroughbred, and horse racing in general, is seen as one of the country's main traditions:[66][67]. 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. Of those, 171 fall directly under HRI's remit. The rules of Irish racing were devised by William Temple in 1673. But they are going to lose all that the longer racing is off, so it is a real worry. (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; Trust us its an experience youll never forget. but this is seen as quite a typical price. Even after a resumption there will still be a significant loss of revenue. Locals here simply cannot get enough of the sport that has existed locally for centuries in an official capacity. 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. Category : Former horse racing venues in the Republic of Ireland Bet with your head, not over it. Downpatrick Racecourse - Guide & Fixtures April 2023 - British Racecourses 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. 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. 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. 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 ideal place to watch horse racing would be on your television, in the comfort of your own home. 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. The main jumps season runs between November and April. Whether you want flat racing, jump racing, or a bit of both, Ireland has got you covered and then some. Are There Any Gambling Restrictions at Irish Racecourses? Almost certainly not, This has been a game-changer for me: how a room in the garden can transform your family life, Seven bodies, including two missing teens, found in Oklahoma, Australia to ban recreational vaping in e-cigarette crackdown, Hollywood faces writers strike after talks with studios collapse, International Rugby Experience, a world-class interactive cathedral to rugby, opens today in Limerick, Irishman Alan Joyce to step down as CEO of Australian airline Qantas after 15 years in charge, Covid graduates struggle with teamwork - Deloitte and PwC. Leopardstown, Navan, Fairyhouse and Tipperary Racecourses operate under this umbrella structure. 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. "[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. Irish Racecourses | Guides, History, News and Betting Info Baldoyle racecourse in north County Dublin staged meetings from March 1868 until the final fixture at the venue on 26 August, 1972. 23 of these are in Southern Ireland and 3 racecourses in Northern Ireland. When corporate bookings and other impacted earnings are considered, such as sponsorship and its partnership with Tattersalls for the May 22 breeze-up sales that could be in peril, a major track like Fairyhouse could be facing an immediate funding shortfall of around 500,000. Do Irish Racecourses Have Different Rules of Racing? 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. 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. Many courses also built permanent structures on their grounds in the hope they would survive for decades to come. 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. [75], In Ireland, racehorses may be owned solely, in partnership or in syndicate. Kavanagh also expressed his fears for the sort of industry that will be left when the coronavirus eventually relents. Winning 27 of the 35 races he entered, Arkle remains a national hero. How much are you prepared to pay for admission to the course although most are very reasonably priced. [17] The introduction of the Penal Laws, restricting Catholics to owning horses of a value less than 5, did little to deter horse owners, resulting in races limited to horses of that value. 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. 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. By Richard Forristal/Racing Post; March 27, 2020 Dundalk is Ireland's only all-weather flat course and there's also flat racing on the beach at Laytown. The following 7 pages are in this category, out of 7 total. [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 busiest days of the festival are Wednesday, when the Galway Plate is held, and Thursday, when the Galway Hurdle and Ladies . What are the Best Racecourses in Ireland? Ten such meetings were run here before racing stopped on March 24th. What are the Biggest Racecourses in Ireland? Check out the information that we have provided on each location and choose which event or festival youd like to attend. These Dublin racecourses remain central to the Worlds racing stage due to the high-profile runners and riders who race here year after year for great prize money and prestige at their major meetings. As a tourist, you will be welcomed to racecourses with open arms. [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.