The loss of the track was a big blow to the midlands, but another Co. Westmeath course, Kilbeggan, grew from strength to strength. 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. Empty betting ring: closed for business at Limerick on Sunday Credit: Alain Barr 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. Irelands racecourses are facing an economic perfect storm that wont be fixed by any resumption of racing behind closed doors. Who is the Most Successful Irish Jockey of All Time? Betting & Tax In The UK Do I Have To Pay Tax On My Gambling Winnings? Holders of that stock are looking at value diminishing in front of their eyes. 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. 4 days ago. 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. 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. [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. Some venues may offer cheap tickets, or do discounted prices for pensioners, students etc. [87][88][89][48], The Irish Stablestaff Association (ISSA) lobbies for improved working conditions and pay for stable staff. This may result in transaction charges being levied by your bank. 1. Just remember that youll need to use for any wagers on the races held in Southern Ireland, not GBP. The racing of horses has a long history on the island, being mentioned in some of the earliest texts. Leopardstown (8 miles from the city centre), Fairyhouse (18 miles from the city centre), Punchestown (24 miles from the city centre in co Kildare), Curragh (33 miles from the city centre in co Kildare), Leopardstown (flat racing and national hunt/jumps), Down Royal (flat racing and national hunt/jumps). Run over a minimum of 2 miles, National Hunt races require the horses to clear a number of obstacles. 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. Based in County Kildare, the Curragh is the most prestigious flat racecourse in Ireland. Whether or not the government eases social restrictions . How will you get to the racecourse? 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. In a letter to King Charles II, he described horses as a drug in Ireland. According to a HRI-commissioned Deloitte report that was published in 2017, the core racing and breeding sectors sustain 15,200 full time jobs. Arkle (1957 1970) was possibly the most popular horse in the history of Ireland. 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. As a tourist, you will be welcomed to racecourses with open arms. The Curragh is a flat only course whilst Kilbeggan, Thurles, Wexford and Downpatrick hold only National Hunt racing. [28] In 1915, the British National Stud was based in the Curragh, becoming the Irish National Stud after independence. It happened between Lisburn and Portadown on Saturday. All of these are celebrated occasions and see countless people cram into the paddocks to see who completes the circuit fastest. Max refund for this offer is 20. Ten such meetings were run here before racing stopped on March 24th. The oldest racecourse in Ireland is Downpatrick, which first opened their gates in 1685. [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. Please play responsibly. Its really a matter for the medical authorities so Im not going to speculate one way or the other. There are 26 racecourses in Ireland, 23 in the Republic of Ireland and 3 in Northern Ireland. All four Classics take place here, the Irish Derby, Irish Oaks, Irish 2000 Guineas and Irish 1000 Guineas. 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. Rail - Clonmel station Bus - Clonmel bus station Air - Waterford, Cork or Shannon 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. As the decades went on racing become increasingly more organised and more competitive. The ideal place to watch horse racing would be on your television, in the comfort of your own home. Realistically thats up to 60 million now. We support responsible gambling, so in case you require information about gambling addiction or need support please use the link BeGambleAware. Are you hoping to attend a major event on the global racing stage or local race meetings? [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. Kilcohan Park Greyhound Stadium (Waterford). That outing was in the Balbriggan Handicap Hurdle over two miles in April 1962, when the future champion finished down the field. 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. [56][52][57][53], The main races in the Irish horseracing calendar are the Irish Derby, the Irish Champion Stakes, the Irish Oaks, the Irish 1,000 Guineas and the Irish 2,000 Guineas. To this day, the Turf Club and HRI (Horse Racing Ireland) regulates Irish racing. 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. "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. [33] These races are held at 23 racecourses, of which 3 run only Flat. But they are going to lose all that the longer racing is off, so it is a real worry. 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. It is not just culturally significant to the country but also a key industry. Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare. What section would you like to sit in the paddocks or a private box? Racecourses and the events they host provide some 1.1 billion to the Irish economy each and every year. 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. [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. A rail line in Northern Ireland has been closed after a person was hit by a train. Dead Heat Rules What Happens In The Event Of A Tie? [29] As early as 1926, the Irish Free State legislated to allow off-course betting, and the Tote was introduced in 1930 to raise funds for the industry. 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. National Hunt racing, flat racing and all-weather racing takes place throughout the year in Ireland. (iii) Outside of the stated dates the cards at many meetings included pony, Galloway, or even foot, races and are not included in the dates. Racing TV owns the exclusive rights to all Irish horses racing in the UK. "Many of those are already committed with coverings for 2020, so that equation is not attractive. 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. Share. [68] Horse breeding and training is a key economic player in regions of the country where there are few employment opportunities. For the duration of its training, the horse is stabled with the trainer, who is responsible for its general upkeep, as well as training. The usual caveats will apply if fancy dress is allowed no costumes that could cause offence to other patrons. With only one all-weather course in the country, at Dundalk, almost all racing in Ireland takes place on good old-fashioned mud and grass, but there is one extra and much-loved exception. The biggest event in Irish horse racing is the Irish Derby. "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. Contingency plans for HRI's own staff are also a priority. Horse racing in Ireland has a very long history. (i) Minor meetings which were not noteworthy or widely reported are not included in the dates; For a few years before its closure the Tuam course had a race in honour of 1958 Aintree Grand National winner Mr What. [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. 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. Breeding of racehorses is also a big moneyspinner in Ireland, as the country produces some of the finest colts and fillies in the world. Place your FIRST bet on any ChNew customers only. Leopardstown Racecourse would have looked at the year of 2020 with such optimism [] Download Today's Edition 2023 racinginsider.com. The course closed in 1963, the same year as Manchester, where despite running steeplechases since 1872 (and Flat racing long before that), the lure of monies for housing development was too much to refuse. The Minister for Health, Simon Harris, already appears to have tried to dampen expectations of any extensive relaxation however, warning there won't be a "big bang moment" in relation to easing social restrictions. This flat racing event is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds (colts and fillies), and it takes place at the Curragh racecourse in late June every year. All-conquering trainer Aidan OBrien gained his first training success at Tralee when the then 23-year-old sent out Wandering Thoughts to score at the track in 1993. [54][55] Unaffiliated races are frequently held at many locations throughout the country. [4][6][7][8] There are later mentions of "horse matches" in Galway in the 13th century under the "Kings Plate Articles". A bunch of keen racing enthusiasts met in Dublins Rose and Bottle Inn down Dame Street to thrash out the details. [83][84], The Irish Racehorse Trainers Association (IRTA) was founded in 1950 to represent licensed racehorse trainers in Ireland and, today, has a membership of almost 430 individuals. [60], Dennis Fitzpatrick was the first professional Irish jockey to race in England, particularly noted for taking part in match races towards the turn of the 19th century,[69] beginning a long history of professional Irish jockeys in the United Kingdom. It's not that your business is tailing offit's disappearing.". "Tracks have been sensible over the years, and part of our role in working with them on developments is to ensure they haven't overstretched themselves. Baldoyle was a popular venue for racegoers, staging races over jumps and on the flat. It requires guts, stamina and talent to win and sometimes these can come from an unlikely source. The following 7 pages are in this category, out of 7 total. 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. The ancient Brehon Law that governed the country until the 17th Century insisted that the sons of the king were provided with horses for racing. 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. Leopardstown also has a golf and property division. [30], Measures introduced by these organisations have helped the industry go from strength to strength. Previously, Downpatrick was home to both Flat and National Hunt racing. Owners had not been able to attend race meetings since March with the majority of sport being held behind closed doors. The course that typically boasts the highest average attendance is Galway, so this is always a safe bet should you want a vibrant atmosphere. Dundalk is Irelands only all-weather flat course and theres also flat racing on the beach at Laytown. For so many years, Ireland has been a dominant force on the world's racing stage, enjoying . All events held in Ireland are a major deal of locals and citizens alike and are central on the Worlds racing stage. 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. For many non-Irish nationals, Dublin is the beating heart of the country. 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. By Richard Forristal/Racing Post; March 27, 2020 [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 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. Some horses are better suited to flat tracks, while . These Northern Ireland racecourses boast state of the art facilities and some of the most important equestrian events in Irish horse racing. 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. Track Characteristics. [86][48], The Association of Irish Racecourse Owners (AIR) was established in 1964 to further the interests of racecourses and represent their owners. Captain Christy, Dawn Run, Vintage Crop and Montys Pass are among the big race winners who entered the winners enclosure at Ballybeggan Park. The usual rules about decency (I.E. "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. 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. 1 There is one royal warrant from 1603 that entitled the governor of Derry to host fairs and markets where horse races could be held. Dundalk is Ireland's only all-weather flat course and there's also flat racing on the beach at Laytown. 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). Photo: Morgan Treacy/Inpho. 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. [81][80] In January 2018 a new organisation, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, will become the regulatory body for horse racing in Ireland. The home of Irish flat racing, The Curragh staged its first race in 1727, with Leopardstown and Punchestown opening in the mid-1800s. [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. [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. Copyright 2023 British Racecourses - britishracecourses.org is intended for the sole use of the individuals over 18 years of age. 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. [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. If you have a sharp two year old, and youre looking at selling that in July or August, youve missed the boat, he said. While Punchestown focuses solely on jumps racing, the Curragh is a flat-racing venue. The other elite Irish Racecourse, Leopardstown, dabbles in both jump and flat racing. 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. Most courses in Ireland are mixed tracks holding both flat and jumps racing on the turf. Some British racecourses are known for being reasonably strict when it comes to their dress code but Ireland, as a whole, takes a more relaxed stance. 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. These include: All racing in Ireland is governed by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI). 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. Are There Any Gambling Restrictions at Irish Racecourses? 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. [1] The mythological Fianna were said to have enjoyed horse racing without the use of chariots;[5] the Book of Leinster contains an early poem mentioning races at the Curragh and near Croom, as well as a tradition of racing on the beach in Kerry,[4] a tradition which continues today. Wednesday evening meetings were very well attended, especially the fixtures during the week of the Spring Show and the Horse Show at the RDS. [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 Earliest and Final dates for meetings stated on this site are open to interpretation for the following reasons:- 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. What are the Biggest Racecourses in Ireland? Records indicated that between 1751 and today, racing took place at over 400 different spots across Ireland. 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. How Many Racecourses are There in Ireland? Racing festivals are a major part of the culture in Ireland. Obviously we are trying to protect jobs if we can but that will become more difficult the longer the break is. To maintain its reputation as an elite jump racing venue, Punchestown has had to regularly update and modernise its offering. 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. Here are the most common questions we get asked about racing in Ireland: The best racecourses in Ireland in our opinion are: However, best is a subjective term. [50] The majority of racecourses are turf, with Dundalk being the only floodlit all-weather polytrack. Although the 1916 Rising resulted a 6-week ban on race meetings, they continued shortly afterwards. Andrew Blair White explores the massive struggles this has caused for racecourses in 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. 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. [10] Horse racing was evidently popular in the 17th century: a 1622 poem tells of a jockey killed participating in a horse race in Carrickfergus,[11] while other accounts mention a 1634 race between Lord Digby and the Earl of Ormond,[12] and the establishment in 1682 of a race by Lord Kildare, with a plate of 40 pounds to the winner. This is a day at the races that unfolds on the beach, on a level sand surface. With 391 Irish race meetings in 2023 you can experience the fun, atmosphere and excitement of attending a horse racing track in Ireland with the calendar season running from 1st January 2023 to the 31st December 2023. 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. [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. Published. What is the Biggest Event in Irish Horse Racing? They created what we know today as the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board but the first name the group took was the Society of Sportsmen before changing into the Irish Jockey Club and then the Turf Club in 1784. Do you enjoy jumps (national hunt) or flat racing? Race meetings were increasingly advertised in the press, and by 1750 even the English Racing Calendar advertised some 71 Irish events. We will sit down and look at the potential impact and the steps we can take,"Kavanagh continued. You do not need to restrict yourself to one place. 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. Translink has confirmed a number of . Pages in category "Former horse racing venues in the Republic of Ireland". 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. 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. Its handy location, just 8km south of Dublin, allows it to attract very healthy crowds and no racecourse in Ireland enjoys more visitors each year in total. [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. 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. A few years later, the course was bought by Percy Nugent from Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath before being taken over by the Mullingar Racecourse Company. 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 . The busiest days of the festival are Wednesday, when the Galway Plate is held, and Thursday, when the Galway Hurdle and Ladies . It is a member of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, the European and Mediterranean Federation of Horseracing Authorities and the European Pattern Committee. 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. Local history groups might have researched the racecourse in their area and be able to add detail to the article.