Map of Racecourses in Ireland What is the Oldest Racecourse in Ireland? 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. [32][80], The Turf Club, established in 1790, is the regulatory body for Horse racing in Ireland, including both Flat and National Hunt racing, and incorporates the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee (INHSC). 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.
HRI RACECOURSES - Horse Racing Ireland The victims .
Teacher strikes: Most NI schools close as five unions take action over Thats not exactly small change! There is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that the Irish love their horses and their racing but that simple fact illustrates it perfectly. 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. [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. When it comes to flat racing, the draw is massively influential. How much are you prepared to pay for admission to the course although most are very reasonably priced. Their summer festival regularly ends up bathed in sunshine and there is a jovial atmosphere throughout. Some venues may offer cheap tickets, or do discounted prices for pensioners, students etc. 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. 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. "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. 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. Its a perfect storm for racecourses. 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 HRI has a number of responsibilities, including the management of the national Thoroughbred studbooks (registration with Weatherbys is also a requirement for all Irish Throughbreds[79]), the development and operation of a number of racecourses, and the authorisation of bookmaking and funding. (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; 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. What are the Best Racecourses in Ireland? You will not need to learn any special rules ahead of time, as there are no changes to the rules of the race.
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. [41][42][43], There are 26 major racecourses in Ireland,[44][45][46][47][32] more per head of population than any other country,[48] with more than 350 race meetings and 2,000 races annually.
Category : Former horse racing venues in the Republic of Ireland The last time owners were permitted on racecourses in Ireland was in September of 2020. With that in mind, here are the five best racecourses to visit in Ireland. Irish Racecourses - Alphabetical C Clonmel Co Tipperary A right handed undulating circuit of 1m 2f - the finish is uphill for 2 1/2f - jumps and flat racing.
Coronavirus in Ireland - Horse owners to be allowed return to Irish 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. 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. 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. Are you looking for a conventional horseshoe circuit, or something a little quirkier? 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. 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. 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. "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. 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. Wednesday evening meetings were very well attended, especially the fixtures during the week of the Spring Show and the Horse Show at the RDS. 23 of these are in Southern Ireland and 3 racecourses in Northern Ireland. A few years before, in 1860, Punchestown racecourse became permanent hosts to jump racing when they established stands and an enclosure. 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. Kavanagh also expressed his fears for the sort of industry that will be left when the coronavirus eventually relents. All events held in Ireland are a major deal of locals and citizens alike and are central on the Worlds racing stage. Placing the latter here may stir up a little controversy, as it is geographically located on the Irish border. You do not need to restrict yourself to one place. 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. Thoroughbred breeding in Ireland is intricately linked with Irish rural life and community. Theyve literally lost all of their income, said the HRIs chief executive Brian Kavanagh. 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. All of these are celebrated occasions and see countless people cram into the paddocks to see who completes the circuit fastest. Once upon a time, long, long, ago, there was a racecourse in nearly every county in Ireland but now just 17 of the 32 hold meetings under rules of racing, with 26 venues catering for the sport of kings.. The Curragh is a flat only course whilst Kilbeggan, Thurles, Wexford and Downpatrick hold only National Hunt racing. Are There Any Gambling Restrictions at Irish Racecourses? Although the 1916 Rising resulted a 6-week ban on race meetings, they continued shortly afterwards. To read full reviews check out our website today. Players must be 18 or over and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. You lose some of your race meeting costs but not enough to compensate. ITM, for example, is grounded completely, so we are looking at all the options for staff in that respect.". Leopardstown, Naas and Cork are three of several racecourses in Ireland that host both jumps and flat racing action. Flat racing takes centre stage between May and October, with all-weather action taking place at Dundalk races throughout the calendar year. [11][24] Although an independent body, on occasion it referred disputes to the English Jockey Club. Racing here, along with all sports, has been cancelled for over a month due to the coronavirus emergency.
Horse racing in Ireland - Wikipedia "Many of those are already committed with coverings for 2020, so that equation is not attractive.
Uncertain times leaving Irish racecourses in the dark If you have a sharp two year old, and youre looking at selling that in July or August, youve missed the boat, he said. A valid Flat or National Hunt licence must be held to ride in either type of race. Horse racing in Ireland is intricately linked with Irish culture and society. Going racing is a unique experience and with 26 racecourses in Ireland to choose from, every taste is sure to be catered for. 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. With Tuam racecourse being hit by dwindling attendances, the decision was taken to hold its final fixture on Friday, 3 August, 1973. [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. Ireland's racecourses are facing an economic "perfect storm" that won't be fixed by any resumption of racing behind closed doors. Two owners per horse will be allowed to attend. The home of Irish flat racing, The Curragh staged its first race in 1727, with Leopardstown and Punchestown opening in the mid-1800s. There is a work aspect to racing, an industry aspect, that is different from other sports. The first equestrian events in the area took place in 1685, and the venue that stands today was built over 150 years ago. The ban led to public outcry, especially in Ireland where some 20,000 people were believed to be employed in the embattled racing industry. Subscribe FREE Today! Kilcohan Park Greyhound Stadium (Waterford). Local history groups might have researched the racecourse in their area and be able to add detail to the article. How Many Racecourses are There in Ireland? Any first step back behind closed doors would be a welcome step although the HRI boss wouldnt speculate on a potential resumption date despite encouraging signs recently in France and Germany. 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. 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. [24] A similar body for National Hunt races, the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee, was formed under the Turf Club to ensure fair running of National Hunt meetings. (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. [85][80], The Association of Irish Racehorse Owners (AIRO) is the official representative body for racehorse owners in Ireland, and has over 1,900 members. The other elite Irish Racecourse, Leopardstown, dabbles in both jump and flat racing. Ireland has a rich history of horse racing, with official sporting contests dating back to the mid seventeenth century. [6][7][8][52][53], Horse Racing Ireland recognises the following racecourses:[46], Races have previously been held under the Rules of Racing at a number of other locations.
Full list of Irish horse racing fixtures for June and July [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. If you want to see the very best thoroughbred horses then targeting a meeting with a Group 1 (flat) or Grade 1 (jump racing) is the best way to go. That works well for racing fans; meetings are among the most popular sporting events in the Irish capital, and it is comparatively simple to reach Dublin through a range of transport means. [10][59][65] A recurring part of Irish culture, the horse has been romanticised in art and literature for many centuries. Race meetings were increasingly advertised in the press, and by 1750 even the English Racing Calendar advertised some 71 Irish events. 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 . A few years later, the course was bought by Percy Nugent from Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath before being taken over by the Mullingar Racecourse Company. 2023 racinginsider.com. 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. For many non-Irish nationals, Dublin is the beating heart of the country. Irish Racecourse Closures Underline Cost of Shutdown All sports are banned in Ireland until at least April 19 due to the COVID-19 crisis. The standard of horses competing is low but this really is a truly unique spectacle in UK or Irish racing. Rail - Clonmel station Bus - Clonmel bus station Air - Waterford, Cork or Shannon The main jumps season runs between November and April. [15][16] The Curragh was awarded its plate in the 1670s, followed by the establishment in 1685 of a studbook under the Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders to promote the breeding of racehorses. Ten such meetings were run here before racing stopped on March 24th. "Apart from the media rights, Fairyhouse, for example, has lost its big pay day. Picking Winners: How To Study Horse Racing Form. Betting Sites - Best UK Online Bookmakers & Sports Betting Websites. Contingency plans for HRI's own staff are also a priority. Winning these races made horses very sought after for breeding purposes so there could be additional income raised through stud money. The tradition of racing runs very deep in Ireland. Horse racing in Ireland has a very long history. 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 [50] The majority of racecourses are turf, with Dundalk being the only floodlit all-weather polytrack. [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. Today at 10:37. In a letter to King Charles II, he described horses as a drug in Ireland. 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. Flat options were gradually phased out over the . 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. 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. 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. (i) Minor meetings which were not noteworthy or widely reported are not included in the dates;
Downpatrick Racecourse - Guide & Fixtures April 2023 - British Racecourses John Breslin. It may be cheaper to exchange currency in cash before heading to Ireland. Leopardstown's flat track is very tight, so it can pay to be drawn low, especially for horses who like to be ridden prominently. 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 Glory Days of Irish Racecourses - Ireland's Eye Magazine [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. June 29 Limerick, Kilbeggan (NH) July 1 Leopardstown, Tipperary (NH) July 2 Sligo . [81][80] In January 2018 a new organisation, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, will become the regulatory body for horse racing in Ireland. [20][22] The early steeplechases offered little more than an agreed-upon landmarks as start and finish points, with the riders free to choose their own path, but later races used a line of flags to indicate a determined course. [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. The oldest racecourse in Ireland is Downpatrick, which first opened their gates in 1685. 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.
Irish racing to continue behind closed doors after crucial Wednesday