[54][55] Unaffiliated races are frequently held at many locations throughout the country. but this is seen as quite a typical price. "Many of those are already committed with coverings for 2020, so that equation is not attractive. 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. The frightening thing for a lot of these business is that you are going from something to zero. eases social restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, With mass gatherings of over 5,000 cancelled until September, warning there won't be a "big bang moment" in relation to easing social restrictions, Luxembourgs comeback proves underwhelming at Curragh, Willie Mullins plots lucrative raid on Paris, Return of Ballydoyle heavyweight Luxembourg indicates step up in flat campaign, Lossiemouth expected to put Grade One seal on record-breaking season for Willie Mullins, Mullins and Townend continue Punchestown festival dominance with Grade One double, Fintan OToole: Honouring this fanatical racist by naming clubs after him shames our GAA, Ammi Burke returns to High Court for hearing on claim of unfair dismissal from law firm, IDA spends hundreds of millions buying and developing strategic sites outside Dublin, Prize bonds - could it be you? Players must be 18 or over and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Its really a matter for the medical authorities so Im not going to speculate one way or the other. You can wear fancy dress in some racecourses in Ireland. Are you looking for a conventional horseshoe circuit, or something a little quirkier? Richard Dunwoody is another legend of the sport, notching up 1,700 career victories across a multitude of meetings. 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. A rail line in Northern Ireland has been closed after a person was hit by a train. For this challenge horses have to tackle 16 fences, often on soft ground, across a distance exceeding three and a half miles. 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. [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. This is a day at the races that unfolds on the beach, on a level sand surface. 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. [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. Even on flat tracks like the Curragh, getting a good draw can be crucial. For so many years, Ireland has been a dominant force on the world's racing stage, enjoying . It is a member of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, the European and Mediterranean Federation of Horseracing Authorities and the European Pattern Committee. 4 days ago. 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. The home of Irish flat racing, The Curragh staged its first race in 1727, with Leopardstown and Punchestown opening in the mid-1800s. How Many Racecourses are There in Ireland? [10][59][65] A recurring part of Irish culture, the horse has been romanticised in art and literature for many centuries. Please gamble responsibly - if you feel you may have a problem and need advice please visitGamble Aware(UK)orGamblers Anonymous. This is partly down to plentiful rain the island of Ireland gets, keeping the ground soft enough for NH racing even in the summer months. 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. "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. (i) Minor meetings which were not noteworthy or widely reported are not included in the dates; 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. 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. The loss of the track was a big blow to the midlands, but another Co. Westmeath course, Kilbeggan, grew from strength to strength. Read more about him in our Best Hennessey Gold Cup winners blog. ITV Racing picks up certain races during the major Irish meetings. [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. Situated to the south of Punchestown, it hosts the lions share of Group races in the country including 11 of the 13 Group 1 races. Irish horse racing is an amazing experience and part of the cultural fabric of the country. Holders of that stock are looking at value diminishing in front of their eyes. Of course, local horses are also popular with the natives. For many non-Irish nationals, Dublin is the beating heart of the country. 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. [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. [11][24] Although an independent body, on occasion it referred disputes to the English Jockey Club. To maintain its reputation as an elite jump racing venue, Punchestown has had to regularly update and modernise its offering. The three most famous courses in Ireland, the ones that your average UK fan might well have heard of and that host the highest class meetings, are Punchestown, Leopardstown and Curragh (also referred to as the Curragh). The Phoenix Beer Steeplechase was one of the most valuable races held at the midlands track. While many Irish horses enjoy legendary status, these perpetual front runners are regarded on a different level. Favored Forte Avoids Unfavorable Draw in Kentucky Derby, Wet Paint Installed as 5-2 Favorite in Kentucky Oaks, Owner/Breeder Looks Past Tragedy to a Brighter Future, Wild On Ice Euthanized Following Derby Work, Forget Two Minutes, 2021 Derby Unresolved in Two Years, Confidence Game Takes Fledgling Syndicate to the Derby, Plus News, Analysis, Entries, Results & Replays, Favorite Forte Draws Post 15, Hit Show Draws 1, Three Things You Might Not Know About: Kingsbarns, Three Things You Might Not Know About: Angel Of Empire, Catching Up With Old Friends: Silver Charm, Belleza de Arteaga Victorious in Gran Premio Criadores. What are the Biggest Racecourses in Ireland? If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: gamcare.org.uk (UK), 800gambler.org (US), or gamblinghelponline.org.au (Australia). If you look at a Deloitte report we did in 2018, it showed the income of racecourses back in 2016 was 52 million. Racing festivals are a major part of the culture in Ireland. National Hunt racing, flat racing and all-weather racing takes place throughout the year in Ireland. Contingency plans for HRI's own staff are also a priority. Captain Christy, Dawn Run, Vintage Crop and Montys Pass are among the big race winners who entered the winners enclosure at Ballybeggan Park. Will you need parking on-site or accessible public transport links and a bus shuttle to the course? 2023 racinginsider.com. [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. Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved. [76][77][10] They may also be sold directly by trainers, breeders or agents. How many racecourses are there in Ireland? The longer this goes on, the more racecourses will lose their big income earners.". 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. 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. Horse racing in Ireland is intricately linked with Irish culture and society. 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. Rail - Clonmel station Bus - Clonmel bus station Air - Waterford, Cork or Shannon Equally, be sure to investigate Northern Ireland for more choices of racecourses. Such a development will be welcome news across all sectors but wont prevent Irelands 26 racecourses from facing an uncertain financial outlook. 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. Its activities also include the monitoring of equine diseases and dissemination of veterinary information to its members. Horses run at Fairyhouse Racecourse in Ireland. 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. The oldest racecourse in Ireland is Downpatrick, which first opened their gates in 1685. The horses owner, David Coughlan, was a director of the track. 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. Leopardstown, Navan, Fairyhouse and Tipperary Racecourses operate under this umbrella structure. Betting Sites - Best UK Online Bookmakers & Sports Betting Websites. Racecourses in Ireland follow the same rules of the sport across the world. The Galway Races (Irish: Rsa na Gaillimhe) is an Irish horse-racing festival that starts on the last Monday of July every year. The money you bet is critical to the country as a whole. 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. All events held in Ireland are a major deal of locals and citizens alike and are central on the Worlds racing stage. Check out the information that we have provided on each location and choose which event or festival youd like to attend. Locals here simply cannot get enough of the sport that has existed locally for centuries in an official capacity. Many courses also built permanent structures on their grounds in the hope they would survive for decades to come. Based in County Kildare, the Curragh is the most prestigious flat racecourse 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. Three people, all members of the same extended family, have been killed while four others are in hospital following a road crash tragedy in Co Tyrone on Thursday morning. ITM, for example, is grounded completely, so we are looking at all the options for staff in that respect.". [78], Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) was established in 2001 in an effort to promote Irish Horse racing and Thoroughbred breeding at an international level. Fearing further unrest, the British government gave a concession to allow the Curragh festival of 810 May, finally relenting on 20 June. In most cases it was lack of funding that had been the problem but in more modern times governments have been more aware of the positive impact racing has on the Irish economy. You lose some of your race meeting costs but not enough to compensate. Generally racecourse financial positions before this wasn't too bad, but this is just a catastrophic shock that nobody can prepare for.". 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 The last time owners were permitted on racecourses in Ireland was in September of 2020. If horse racing at its best is what you are looking for, Ireland is certainly the place to find it. Kavanagh also expressed his fears for the sort of industry that will be left when the coronavirus eventually relents. Of those, 171 fall directly under HRI's remit. 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. As the decades went on racing become increasingly more organised and more competitive. [60], There are over 6,000 registered breeders in the country, 93% of which have fewer than 5 broodmares. 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. There is a work aspect to racing, an industry aspect, that is different from other sports. This does mean there can be extremely limited protection from any wind and rain so do not expect to find a nice warm reception area full of TVs broadcasting the action. [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. Some schools across England and Northern Ireland are closed today. The main jumps season runs between November and April. RACECOURSES: HERE TODAY AND GONE TOMORROW. Local history groups might have researched the racecourse in their area and be able to add detail to the article. 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. The mid sixties saw the demise of Hurst Park in '62, Lincoln and Lewes in '64, and Bromford Bridge and Bogside in '65. [10][59] More than 80% of these Irish-bred Thoroughbreds are exported to 37 countries, generating an estimated 229 million per year;[60][61] nearly 80% of these exports are to Great Britain. This means visitors are free to put on something nice and casual if they like, such as a t-shirt and jeans, rather than dressing up for the occasions. 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. Bet with your head, not over it. 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. Over time, as things become clearer, you have to take a further view on staff. 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. [81][80] In January 2018 a new organisation, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, will become the regulatory body for horse racing in Ireland. Who is the Most Famous Irish Racehorse of All Time? The oldest racecourse in Southern Ireland is the Curragh although Down Royal in Northern Ireland pre-dates this venue. For the duration of its training, the horse is stabled with the trainer, who is responsible for its general upkeep, as well as training. 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. There will be designated areas for owners to meet their . [58], Horse racing organisations are funded through a number of sources, including membership fees, taxation of betting, a foal registration levy, profits from the Tote, and direct contribution from the Government of the Republic of Ireland. 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. There is one royal warrant from 1603 that entitled the governor of Derry to host fairs and markets where horse races could be held. [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. 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. To this day in 2020, there are some 16,000 people employed by the racing industry. Here is the full list of 26 racecourses in Ireland: Throughout the remainder of this guide, we will give you more information about each Irish racecourse, simply follow any links off to more in-depth guides, which will include a particular focus on the major sites, cities and events. 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. 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. 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. Most courses in Ireland are mixed tracks holding both flat and jumps racing on the turf. Owners had not been able to attend race meetings since March with the majority of sport being held behind closed doors. [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. [63], Ireland is seen by many as a "horse nation". Well help you find the perfect course for your needs. 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. Published. Hely-Hutchinson holds the distinction of being the only jockey to ride Arkle on the racecourse and not win on the great horse. Another Tom Dreaper-trained star of that era, Flyingbolt, won a hurdle race at the track in 1964. At any day during the festival, you will enjoy a simply stunning view as Killarney Racecourse is hugely picturesque with its beautiful mountain backdrop. [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. Some venues may offer cheap tickets, or do discounted prices for pensioners, students etc. When it comes to racing, Ireland takes itself very seriously and racing is a big deal. This may result in transaction charges being levied by your bank. [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. "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. Irelands racecourses are facing an economic perfect storm that wont be fixed by any resumption of racing behind closed doors. Horse racing in Ireland has a very long history. We support responsible gambling, so in case you require information about gambling addiction or need support please use the link BeGambleAware. June 26 Curragh, Tipperary (NH) June 27 Curragh. "Our objective is to avoid closures, but there is a risk, same as there is for all other sectors in the economy," he added. All offers subject to terms and conditions. Technically, however, Dundalk is considered among the category of Northern Irish racecourses. Some horses are better suited to flat tracks, while . 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. The biggest event in Irish horse racing is the Irish Derby. Baldoyle was a popular venue for racegoers, staging races over jumps and on the flat. We are now lucky enough to own some fantastic racehorses who we will follow around the tracks and we have had some great wins. 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. [30] The Emergency that accompanied the Second World War was reportedly beneficial to horse racing, as restrictions on foreign and motor travel led to an increase in spectator numbers. Apart from forfeiting significant gate receiptsFairyhouse's three-day Easter gathering attracted 23,000 racegoers in 2019media rights revenue works out at an average of approximately 50,000 per fixture. 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. HORSE owners will be allowed to return to racecourses in Ireland from Monday. 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. [28] In 1915, the British National Stud was based in the Curragh, becoming the Irish National Stud after independence. 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. Domestically, racing is one of Ireland's most popular spectator sports, while on the international scene, Ireland is one of the strongest producers and trainers of Thoroughbred horses. Ireland's racecourses are facing an economic "perfect storm" that won't be fixed by any resumption of racing behind closed doors. Horse racing was temporarily banned on 4 May 1917, following complaints concerning the oat intake of Thoroughbreds. [26] The first racing festival at the Ballybrit racecourse took place in the following year, with a reported 40,000 spectators in attendance. 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. It is not just culturally significant to the country but also a key industry. The first recorded meeting at Curragh took in 1727, but horses would race on this site before records began to be kept. 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 racing takes centre stage between May and October, with all-weather action taking place at Dundalk races throughout the calendar year. If you are someone that loves the thrill of jumps racing, this lengthy battle will be right up your street. What will that market look like now? Do you enjoy jumps (national hunt) or flat racing? 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). [32], In Ireland, the Flat racing season runs from mid-March to mid-November, and comprises races started from stalls, run over 5 to 20 furlongs. 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. Ireland has a rich history of horse racing, with official sporting contests dating back to the mid seventeenth century. 23 of these are in Southern Ireland and 3 racecourses in Northern Ireland. It is both their social and racing highlight of the year, often drawing a handsome crowd partly due to the town being a great tourism destination. [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. Whether or not the government eases social restrictions . "[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. The ban led to public outcry, especially in Ireland where some 20,000 people were believed to be employed in the embattled racing industry. The maximum gap between races will be 30 minutes in order to assist social distancing. Youll be enjoying a famous meeting in no time at all thanks to Horse Racing Ireland. [33] These races are held at 23 racecourses, of which 3 run only Flat. close panel. 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. Winning these races made horses very sought after for breeding purposes so there could be additional income raised through stud money. All racetracks have different characteristics. To this day, the Turf Club and HRI (Horse Racing Ireland) regulates Irish racing. Thoroughbred breeding in Ireland is intricately linked with Irish rural life and community. 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. 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 Racing Board was later replaced by the Irish Horseracing Authority in 1994, which is something we have known since 2001 as Horse Racing Ireland. 5. Their summer festival regularly ends up bathed in sunshine and there is a jovial atmosphere throughout. 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. [86][48], The Association of Irish Racecourse Owners (AIR) was established in 1964 to further the interests of racecourses and represent their owners.
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