Ireland strives to be the world centre of excellence and knowledge for horse racing and breeding. The industry contributes significantly to the Irish economy in the form of Bloodstock sales, Tote betting and racecourse attendances. It is not a wonder why the country is home to so many race tracks that provide an abundance of entertainment for participants!
Horse racing is run throughout Ireland, and at last calculation, the country had 24 racecourses in the Republic of Ireland, and 2 in Northern Ireland. Along with the love of the race, Ireland is home to many festivals and events in honour of the sport. Two of the most popular races are the Punchestown Races and the Curragh Races. People come from near and far to attend these horse racing events in Kildare, and many make holidays out of it!
The Punchestown Racetrack, known as the home of the Irish jump racing and national hunt racing, has its annual 5-day festival beginning on Tuesday 25th to Saturday 29th April 2017. The Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival is considered one of the main highlights of this popular sport. The atmosphere of the festival is unique to Punchestown and is a “combination of thrilling sporting action, brilliant live entertainment, delicious food and drink, and family fun”. You will witness dazzling glamour and casual comfort all in the same, exciting and vibrant setting, as there is no dress code.
The Punchestown Festival is considered the “grande finale” of the jump season. It attracts top of the class horses, trainers and jockeys from all of Ireland who come there to settle scores and take the lead. The quality of the 12 Grade 1 races that takes place at the Punchestown Races is unrivalled.
The festival schedule breaks down as follows:
Tuesday: BoyleSports Champion Chase Day
Opening day of the festivities! With 7 total races, three of which are Grade 1 :BoyleSports Champion Chase, The Herald Champion Novice Hurdle over 2 miles long, and the Growise Novice Chase over 3 miles long. Races commence at 3.40pm and end at 7.15pm.
Wednesday: Punchestown Gold Cup Day
Wednesday hosts the Grade 1 Punchestown Gold Cup as well as the contested Attheraces.com Irish Champion Bumper, The Grade 1 Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle over 3 miles long, and the Weatherbys GSB EBF Mares Flat Race. Races commence at 3.40pm and end at 7.15pm.
Thursday: The Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle Day
Day three. There are two Grade 1 races included here. The Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle and the Ryanair Novice Chase, which is over 2 miles long. Thursday also hosts the infamous La Touche Cross Country race. Races commence at 3.40pm and end at 7.15pm.
Friday: The BETDAQ Champion Hurdle day
The absolute gem in the crown of the entire Festival, and a favourite with racegoers, locals and socialisers, is the BETDAQ Champion Hurdle Day. This is the most popular day, with the largest crowds and a party atmosphere. Friday is the day the best two mile hurdlers battle for the champion title. Races commence at 3.40pm and end at 7.15pm.
Saturday: The AES Festival Family Day
Saturday is the second most popular day of the entire festival. The focus is on the youth with the Champion 4-year-old hurdle being the feature race. The Junior Jockey Fun Club comes out that day for family entertainment providing pony rides, face painting, bouncy castles and more. Races commence at 2.30pm and end at 6.45pm.
The Curragh, literally meaning, the place of the running horse, is home to one of Ireland’s most entertaining horse racing events, the Irish Guineas Festival. The event attracts a diverse group of enthusiasts ranging from race goers to fashion aficionados, and is a wonderful time for families as it offers entertainment for all ages. The Festival is two spectacular days full of racing and activities as follows:
Saturday 27th May Europe’s leading colts compete in the featured Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas Race. Other races on Saturday include the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes, with top The Six Furlong Contest, The Lanwades Stud Stakes,and the Cold Move Marble Hill Stakes, also featured as part an exciting seven race programme.
Sunday 28th May Europe’s top fillies compete for glory in the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas. Other races that day include the Tattersalls Gold Cup, and the Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes. Sunday is also “Big Fashion Day” with the Killashee Irish Tatler Style Icon competition in association with Cullen & Co. Not to be missed for the fashion lovers!
With 17 events throughout the year, Naas Racecourse could very well be considered the hub of horse racing in Kildare. It is located in the heart of the Thoroughbred County of Kildare, just 18 miles from Dublin City and on route to Cork, Limerick and Waterford. Season races start on Saturday 11th February and ends on Saturday 11th November and encumber a mixture of flat and national hunt racing. Each race day carries with it a different theme and a variety of activities to choose from such as family fun days, summer barbeque evenings, live music events and ladies days. The calendar of events is spectacular and a definite “must see” for race and entertainment enthusiasts.
When coming from near or far to participate in the horse racing in Kildare, The Osprey Hotel is an ideal location. It is centrally located in close proximity to the Punchestown Race Track, The Curragh Race Track, as well as the Naas Race Track. The Osprey complex, located in Naas, Co. Kildare, is only 35 minutes’ drive from Dublin City and close to all major routes. It includes the four-star Osprey Hotel, Osprey Spa, Osprey Conference Centre, Osprey Fitness & Leisure and the Time bar and venue. With a variety of rooms to choose from, classic, executive, junior suites, duplex suites and two penthouse suites with balconies, it is suitable for all travellers and enthusiasts of the sport of horse racing.