The Galway Races (Irish: Rsa na Gaillimhe) is an Irish horse-racing festival that starts on the last Monday of July every year. Another Tom Dreaper-trained star of that era, Flyingbolt, won a hurdle race at the track in 1964. All racetracks have different characteristics. Theyre not even sporting events almost. Are There Any Gambling Restrictions at Irish Racecourses? Racing TV owns the exclusive rights to all Irish horses racing in the UK. [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. 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. Irish Racecourse Closures Underline Cost of Shutdown [9], In the mid-19th century, the racehorse industry saw a decline linked to the aftermath of the Napoleonic wars. With more and more racing taking place around the country, it was deemed that some governance was needed to oversee it all. "[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. When it comes to racing, Ireland takes itself very seriously and racing is a big deal. Category:Defunct horse racing venues in England - Wikipedia John Breslin. Theyve literally lost all of their income, said the HRIs chief executive Brian Kavanagh. To read full reviews check out our website today. 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. Sometimes, that isn't possible. [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. To this day in 2020, there are some 16,000 people employed by the racing industry. National Hunt racing, flat racing and all-weather racing takes place throughout the year in Ireland. What are the Biggest Racecourses in Ireland? [87][88][89][48], The Irish Stablestaff Association (ISSA) lobbies for improved working conditions and pay for stable staff. Racing at the new venue continued until the 1930s before there was a break until a company was set up to purchase the course from the OConnells. Who is the Most Famous Irish Racehorse of All Time? 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. Download Today's Edition Published. For many it is the most beautiful, scenic racecourse on the entire continent and we would probably not dispute that. Youll be enjoying a famous meeting in no time at all thanks to Horse Racing Ireland. 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. Between March 25, when racing ceased, and April 19, there will be 23 fixtures lost to 12 race courses, with Cork and Dundalk the worst hit in terms of numbers. [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. For the duration of its training, the horse is stabled with the trainer, who is responsible for its general upkeep, as well as training. [76][77][10] They may also be sold directly by trainers, breeders or agents. 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. It happened between Lisburn and Portadown on Saturday. 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. Whether or not the government eases social restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, or extends them past the current May 5th deadline, is expected to be announced later this week and racing is anxiously awaiting news of when it might be able to resume. Betting Sites - Best UK Online Bookmakers & Sports Betting Websites. It is here that steeplechasing was born; it is here that many of the most illustrious horses in racing history have been bred over the course of several centuries. June 28 Curragh. It is also worth mentioning that a very high proportion of Irish courses are dual purpose, meaning they host both flat and National Hunt action. The horses owner, David Coughlan, was a director of the track. Full list of Irish horse racing fixtures for June and July If you prefer the jumps, traditional races such as The Irish Gold Cup, Irish Grand National and Irish Champion Hurdle are the highlights of the national hunt programme. TOP 5 best racecourses to visit in Ireland, RANKED Racecourses in Ireland. I am grateful to Ordnance Survey ( Crown Copyright) for permission to use any pre-1956 maps showing the locations of former racecourses in England, Scotland and Wales, and also to The British Newspaper Archive (www.BritishNewspaperArchive.co.uk) for allowing small sections of relevant newspapers to be included in the text of each racecourse. It may be cheaper to exchange currency in cash before heading to Ireland. If you are planning a visit and wondering which of the 26 Irish racecourses is best for you to visit will depend on a range of factors. 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. Technically, however, Dundalk is considered among the category of Northern Irish racecourses. Race meetings were increasingly advertised in the press, and by 1750 even the English Racing Calendar advertised some 71 Irish events. 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. Some venues may offer cheap tickets, or do discounted prices for pensioners, students etc. However, these two racecourses are also complemented by Farmacaffley and the Dundalk Stadium. Irish horse racing is an amazing experience and part of the cultural fabric of the country. 5 Best Irish Racecourses to Visit In Your Lifetime How much are you prepared to pay for admission to the course although most are very reasonably priced. 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. Rail - Clonmel station Bus - Clonmel bus station Air - Waterford, Cork or Shannon There are no restrictions on tourists gambling at Irish racecourses. [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. What is the Biggest Event in Irish Horse Racing? Our busy lives often get in the way, and we have to watch horse racing on the go. HRI estimating 7.5m losses in its racecourse division in 2020 If you have even a casual interest in racing, Ireland is a must-visit. 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. Dundalk is Irelands only all-weather flat course and theres also flat racing on the beach at Laytown. 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. Seven days for a festival is extremely long yet enthusiasm never seems to wane during this fantastic occasion that is full of different ways of entertaining the crowd. Hely-Hutchinson holds the distinction of being the only jockey to ride Arkle on the racecourse and not win on the great horse. Its membership comprises all Irish racecourses. Winning 27 of the 35 races he entered, Arkle remains a national hero. The road, which was closed in both directions, has now reopened. 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. Are you looking for a conventional horseshoe circuit, or something a little quirkier? It does not boast as many courses as Great Britain, but with Ireland having around one racecourse per 270,000 inhabitants, it has a much higher per capita rate, the highest in the world in fact. Empty betting ring: closed for business at Limerick on Sunday Credit: Alain Barr In 1945, the Racing Board was established specifically to deal with financing the sport and this helped increase racecourse investment and also prize money. Bet with your head, not over it. 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. Over time, as things become clearer, you have to take a further view on staff. Directions: Road - leave Clonmel centre and take the N24 towards Waterford for 2km. 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. June 26 Curragh, Tipperary (NH) June 27 Curragh. [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. The ban led to public outcry, especially in Ireland where some 20,000 people were believed to be employed in the embattled racing industry. [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. The victims . "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. Dundalk is Ireland's only all-weather flat course and there's also flat racing on the beach at Laytown. Irish racecourses are visited by over 1.3m people every year and their races are broadcast all over the world, thus creating quite a large fan base. 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. [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. but this is seen as quite a typical price. You cannot go wrong with any course or meeting really but to narrow the possibilities down, we will take a look at the most notable courses and some of the most popular meetings (not necessarily those with the best quality racing) the island has to offer. Of course, local horses are also popular with the natives. Races were held at Tralee until 2008, when the course was sold for redevelopment. The seven-day Galway Races take place next week and racecourse manager Michael Moloney says the cost of not having fans in attendance at Ballybrit is likely to be in excess of one-million Euro. Here are the racecourses closest to Dublin: This does not, in any way, diminish the qualities of other racecourses in Ireland. 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. [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. Wednesday evening meetings were very well attended, especially the fixtures during the week of the Spring Show and the Horse Show at the RDS. 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. June 24 Naas, Roscommon (NH) June 25 Fairyhouse. Irelands racecourses are facing an economic perfect storm that wont be fixed by any resumption of racing behind closed doors. 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. 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. In 2015, it was announced the course would enjoy a 6.2m makeover which included the construction of the 4m Hunt Stand, something that was completed in 2018. [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. The last time owners were permitted on racecourses in Ireland was in September of 2020. Captain Christy, Dawn Run, Vintage Crop and Montys Pass are among the big race winners who entered the winners enclosure at Ballybeggan Park. "But in that context we are also trying to scenario plan. The oldest racecourse in Ireland is Downpatrick, which first opened their gates in 1685. 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. Today at 10:37. 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. How many racecourses are there in Ireland? Irish Racecourses: A-Z Guide To Racecourses In Ireland - Online Betting Our two favourites, however, would have to be Galway and Listowel as we have had personal success with our horses (Dooley Thoroughbreds) at these tracks. The Curragh is a flat only course whilst Kilbeggan, Thurles, Wexford and Downpatrick hold only National Hunt racing. What will that market look like now? Aughnacloy: Three killed and four injured in A5 crash - BBC News [54][55] Unaffiliated races are frequently held at many locations throughout the country. Jockeys' weights will increase by 2lb as a result of racecourse saunas being closed, while no owners are now permitted to attend meetings. If you have information on any course then email me at johnwslusar@gmail.com Irish racing anxiously waiting for green light to resume Although the 1916 Rising resulted a 6-week ban on race meetings, they continued shortly afterwards. Whether youre a fan of the jumps or flat racing, there are a plethora of racecourses in Ireland. 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 . ITM, for example, is grounded completely, so we are looking at all the options for staff in that respect.". [30], Measures introduced by these organisations have helped the industry go from strength to strength. Leopardstown's flat track is very tight, so it can pay to be drawn low, especially for horses who like to be ridden prominently. [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. To maintain its reputation as an elite jump racing venue, Punchestown has had to regularly update and modernise its offering. It is not just culturally significant to the country but also a key industry. 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. 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. 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. That outing was in the Balbriggan Handicap Hurdle over two miles in April 1962, when the future champion finished down the field. Punchestown Racecourse - Guide, Info & Fixtures April 2023 Our lost racecourses since 1939 - a tale of woe versus innovation Its a perfect storm for racecourses. 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. Races are primarily run on turf, with one floodlit all-weather track at Dundalk. [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. Meetings were held there on and off in the 19th century before an enclosed course opened for the sport in 1902 and was run by members of the Peard family for a few decades. There may be certain expectations if heading into an exclusive part of big course but for at most venues, and in most areas, no dress code applies. Most courses in Ireland are mixed tracks holding both flat and jumps racing on the turf. [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 Earliest and Final dates for meetings stated on this site are open to interpretation for the following reasons:- 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. 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. To this day, the Turf Club and HRI (Horse Racing Ireland) regulates Irish racing. "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. 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. The Irish horse racing industry is today worth 1 billion per annum, employs over 14,000 people, and is a major player on the international scene. [75], In Ireland, racehorses may be owned solely, in partnership or in syndicate. Kilcohan Park Greyhound Stadium (Waterford). For many non-Irish nationals, Dublin is the beating heart of the country. The ideal place to watch horse racing would be on your television, in the comfort of your own home. Do you enjoy jumps (national hunt) or flat racing? Frequently Asked Questions About Irish Racing. Contingency plans for HRI's own staff are also a priority. HORSE owners will be allowed to return to racecourses in Ireland from Monday. Pages in category "Former horse racing venues in the Republic of Ireland". Share. 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. This may result in transaction charges being levied by your bank. Some horses are better suited to flat tracks, while more balanced individuals may do their best work on an undulating course. We will sit down and look at the potential impact and the steps we can take,"Kavanagh continued. Ireland has a rich history of horse racing, with official sporting contests dating back to the mid seventeenth century. [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. 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 . Gamble responsibly and Think about your choices. Should you want to explore horse racing in Ireland for yourself, there are lots of options as shown in the map above.