You lose some of your race meeting costs but not enough to compensate. The maximum gap between races will be 30 minutes in order to assist social distancing. In 1945, the Racing Board was established specifically to deal with financing the sport and this helped increase racecourse investment and also prize money. [58] Ireland is the largest producer of Thoroughbreds in the EU, producing 40% of the EU's Thoroughbreds,[58][62][63] and the fourth-largest in the world;[58][59] additionally, 4 of the top 10 stallions in Europe are based in Ireland. There are 26 racecourses in Ireland, each of which offers something different. With Tuam racecourse being hit by dwindling attendances, the decision was taken to hold its final fixture on Friday, 3 August, 1973. Picking Winners: How To Study Horse Racing Form. "Many of those are already committed with coverings for 2020, so that equation is not attractive. Both forms can be viewed throughout the calendar year too, rather than only having access to jumps action in the winter months and flat racing in the summer months. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. There are no restrictions on tourists gambling at Irish racecourses. [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. Share. While Punchestown focuses solely on jumps racing, the Curragh is a flat-racing venue. In February 2022, unions rejected a pay offer from . Generally racecourse financial positions before this wasn't too bad, but this is just a catastrophic shock that nobody can prepare for.". The winning horses were much sought after for breeding, leading to rapid improvement of the breed, with horses not in the winnings still capable hunters. 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. Teachers who . "Apart from the media rights, Fairyhouse, for example, has lost its big pay day. To read full reviews check out our website today. [54][55] Unaffiliated races are frequently held at many locations throughout the country. The racing of horses has a long history on the island, being mentioned in some of the earliest texts. [28] In 1915, the British National Stud was based in the Curragh, becoming the Irish National Stud after independence. [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. Can I Wear Fancy Dress to Racecourse in Ireland? 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). We start with the Summer Festival in Killarney, which runs for five successive days in July. Records indicated that between 1751 and today, racing took place at over 400 different spots across Ireland. 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. [10][21] In particular, the Thoroughbred, and horse racing in general, is seen as one of the country's main traditions:[66][67]. There really is a huge selection though and the following are just our pick of the highlights. To this day, the Turf Club and HRI (Horse Racing Ireland) regulates Irish racing. 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. (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; Most courses in Ireland are mixed tracks holding both flat and jumps racing on the turf. The oldest racecourse in Southern Ireland is the Curragh although Down Royal in Northern Ireland pre-dates this venue. 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. All offers subject to terms and conditions. In 1812, with the Irish racing fixture list very congested, the Turf Club sorted out the problem by allocating annual dates to courses with Tuam, given meetings in the first week of August. 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. Of course, some did, but there are many sites that failed to stick around for a long time, whether due to lack of interest, lack of funding, or unsuitable ground. [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. The first equestrian events in the area took place in 1685, and the venue that stands today was built over 150 years ago. The longer this goes on, the more racecourses will lose their big income earners.". 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. Racecourses in Ireland follow the same rules of the sport across the world. 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. Andrew Blair White explores the massive struggles this has caused for racecourses in Ireland. "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. HORSE owners will be allowed to return to racecourses in Ireland from Monday. 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. A few years later, the course was bought by Percy Nugent from Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath before being taken over by the Mullingar Racecourse Company. With 26 racecourses in Northern and The Republic of Ireland, there are plenty of racing events and racecourses to choose from. 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. Horse racing in Ireland is intricately linked with Irish culture and society. National Hunt racing, flat racing and all-weather racing takes place throughout the year in Ireland. Bet with your head, not over it. In 2020, the Irish Derby boasted 2.25m in prize money. A valid Flat or National Hunt licence must be held to ride in either type of race. 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. Arkle (1957 1970) was possibly the most popular horse in the history of Ireland. Going racing is a unique experience and with 26 racecourses in Ireland to choose from, every taste is sure to be catered for. 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. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. What are the Major Irish Racing Festivals? Rather than racing on grass, horses at Laytown compete on sand as its temporary track is set up on the seafront, but under normal IHRB rules. Officials within HRI are preparing to furnish an April 1conference call board meeting with recommendations and data as emergency strategies are being explored to shore up an entire industry with an estimated economic value of almost 2 billion. Sky Bet Horse Racing - these offers are not valid from 2pm on Fri 14th until 23.59 on Sat 15th April. Players must be 18 or over and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Theyre not even sporting events almost. 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. Some horses are better suited to flat tracks, while . Who is the Most Successful Irish Jockey of All Time? The road, which was closed in both directions, has now reopened. Locals here simply cannot get enough of the sport that has existed locally for centuries in an official capacity. Horses run at Fairyhouse Racecourse in Ireland. [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. 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. Copyright 2023 British Racecourses - britishracecourses.org is intended for the sole use of the individuals over 18 years of age. 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. 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. With more and more racing taking place around the country, it was deemed that some governance was needed to oversee it all. 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. When it comes to racing, Ireland takes itself very seriously and racing is a big deal. The land was sold to Galway Country Council in 1978. The victims . [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. Here is the full list of 26 racecourses in Ireland: Ballinrobe Bellewstown Clonmel Cork Curragh Down Royal Downpatrick Dundalk Stadium Fairyhouse Galway Gowran Park Kilbeggan Killarney Laytown A rail line in Northern Ireland has been closed after a person was hit by a train. 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. 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. In fact, the only permanent building you will find at Laytown is a block of toilets. It requires guts, stamina and talent to win and sometimes these can come from an unlikely source. 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. In 1961, the legendary Arkle made his racecourse debut in the Lough Ennel Plate bumper at Mullingar and finished third with Mark Hely-Hutchinson in the saddle. According to a HRI-commissioned Deloitte report that was published in 2017, the core racing and breeding sectors sustain 15,200 full time jobs. However, with the expansion of the Irish rail network, racecourses sprung up in new locations, with such large numbers travelling by train to race meetings that railway companies began offering free travel to competing horses. 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. They are effectively being run for the industry, for horses to have an outlet to run. Most races occur on the standard oval track, though. Captain Christy, Dawn Run, Vintage Crop and Montys Pass are among the big race winners who entered the winners enclosure at Ballybeggan Park. After racing took place at a few courses in Tralee, the move to Ballybeggan Park was made in 1898, the new site formerly being a deer park owned by the family of Daniel OConnell. This makes for ideal conditions for breeding and raising racing horses for success. 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 . What is the Oldest Racecourse in Ireland? What section would you like to sit in the paddocks or a private box? As at Mullingar, Arkle ran there during the early part of his racing career. [81][80] In January 2018 a new organisation, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, will become the regulatory body for horse racing in Ireland. Take a look at the information that we have provided and choose which day at the races, or horse racing festival, you would like to attend. "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. The Earliest and Final dates for meetings stated on this site are open to interpretation for the following reasons:- All racetracks have different characteristics. [18], The origin of the Steeplechase was a 4.5 mile match race between Buttevant and Doneraile, County Cork, across natural countryside, beginning and ending at the eponymous steeples of each of the towns. Rail - Clonmel station Bus - Clonmel bus station Air - Waterford, Cork or Shannon Place your FIRST bet on any market at odds of min 2.0 (EVS) and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. 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 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. The ideal place to watch horse racing would be on your television, in the comfort of your own home. [68] Horse breeding and training is a key economic player in regions of the country where there are few employment opportunities. Before we do this though it is worth covering some points about horse racing in Ireland more generally. Its really a matter for the medical authorities so Im not going to speculate one way or the other. 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. Equally, racing meetings are a huge social occasion with people from all walks of life coming together. 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. Even after a resumption there will still be a significant loss of revenue. 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. [27], The First World War didn't initially see the cancellation of horse racing, and Thoroughbreds did not feature prominently among the 300,000 horses. 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. Rather than opting for the traditional big meetings like the extremely prestigious Curragh Irish Derby Festival or Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival (Irelands answer to the Cheltenham Festival) we will look at some slightly less high-profile, but just as entertaining, alternatives. There are two main racing tracks in Northern Ireland Downpatrick and Down Royal. Please gamble responsibly - if you feel you may have a problem and need advice please visitGamble Aware(UK)orGamblers Anonymous. Their summer festival regularly ends up bathed in sunshine and there is a jovial atmosphere throughout. Fairyhouse, along with Leopardstown, Navan, and Tipperary, are controlled by HRI. As a family, we have always loved the racing and went to Haydock races as kids, as often as we could. Breeding of racehorses is also a big moneyspinner in Ireland, as the country produces some of the finest colts and fillies in the world. To maintain its reputation as an elite jump racing venue, Punchestown has had to regularly update and modernise its offering. The subsidiaries are the four racecourses, the Tote and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, and the threat of significant job losses looms over each. "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. Kavanagh also warned on Sunday about the impact of the Covid-19 emergency on other racing sectors such as small trainers and those involved in bloodstock sales which have been disrupted. Check out the information that we have provided on each location and choose which event or festival youd like to attend. 5. A few years before, in 1860, Punchestown racecourse became permanent hosts to jump racing when they established stands and an enclosure. If you have information on any course then email me at johnwslusar@gmail.com Will you need parking on-site or accessible public transport links and a bus shuttle to the course? Betting & Tax In The UK Do I Have To Pay Tax On My Gambling Winnings? 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. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that the Irish love their horses and their racing but that simple fact illustrates it perfectly. As the old saying goes, its a case of horses for courses. Both will lose four meetings in that time frame. Dublin, Cork and Kildare, for example, all have plenty of options. 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. [50] The majority of racecourses are turf, with Dundalk being the only floodlit all-weather polytrack. 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. Youll be enjoying a famous meeting in no time at all thanks to Horse Racing Ireland. Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare. June 24 Naas, Roscommon (NH) June 25 Fairyhouse. 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 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. As of now, all sports are banned until at least April 19 due to the COVID-19 crisis. 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. The other elite Irish Racecourse, Leopardstown, dabbles in both jump and flat racing. 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. 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. Fearing further unrest, the British government gave a concession to allow the Curragh festival of 810 May, finally relenting on 20 June. Such a development will be welcome news across all sectors but wont prevent Irelands 26 racecourses from facing an uncertain financial outlook. Winning these races made horses very sought after for breeding purposes so there could be additional income raised through stud money. It is for this reason that you will find that races at Down Royal and Downpatrick pay out prize money in euros, despite the local currency being pounds sterling. 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 . 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. "But in that context we are also trying to scenario plan. 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. June 29 Limerick, Kilbeggan (NH) July 1 Leopardstown, Tipperary (NH) July 2 Sligo . 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. [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.