Last year, the trainer league of the GAIN The Advantage Series was clinched during the final leg by Tipperary-based trainer Andrew Slattery. Building on three successful years, the 2024 series includes nine races which will be run for points over a variety of conditions to cater to different trainers and horses throughout the Flat season. All races in the series will continue to benefit from a 50% increase in prize money. The series will begin at Cork on Friday, April 26 and continue at Leopardstown, Navan, Ballinrobe, Tramore, Down Royal, Tipperary and Killarney. The series finale will be hos ..read more

Sadly, this weekend we lost Paddy Dunican, Manager of Kilbeggan Racecourse in tragic circumstances. We were shocked and saddened to hear such terrible news. Our thoughts and prayers are with those closest to Paddy at this difficult time. Paddy has been the manager of Kilbeggan Racecourse for over 35 years. His passion for the racecourse and commitment to the betterment of its circumstances was unwavering. Advocating on behalf of Kilbeggan Racecourse was his motivation and primary purpose and he successfully turned the track around during his time at the helm. During that period, Paddy ensured ..read more

Ballinrobe Racecourse is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated return of racing for the 2024 season. Following its recognition as the Racecourse of the Year in 2023, Ballinrobe Racecourse has continued its commitment to excellence with ongoing enhancements and preparations throughout the winter months. John Flannelly, Racecourse Manager, expressed his excitement for the upcoming season, stating, “We finished 2023 on a high note, winning Racecourse of the Year. We haven’t rested on our laurels; instead, we’ve had a very busy winter focusing on development and planning for 2024.” Flannelly c ..read more

Today, (New Year’s Eve) at Punchestown Racecourse, The Association of Irish Racecourses has announced an extension to its financial support of Irish Injured Jockeys for a further three years. The association representing all 26 Irish racecourses has pledged a combined total donation of €369,000 paid to the charity during this period. This donation will go towards IIJ running costs in an effort to ensure that public income raised through donations and fundraisers will go to Irish Injured Jockeys service users and beneficiaries. Building on the existing positive relationship between the racecour ..read more

THE PRIZE FUND OF THE SBK DAN & JOAN MOORE MEMORIAL CHASE INCREASED TO €100,000 Fairyhouse Racecourse welcome SBK, the sportsbook app powered by Smarkets, into the Irish Market this January. The partnership will see SBK sponsor two feature and supporting races this January including The SBK Dan and Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase (Grade B) on January 13th. SBK will also sponsor The SBK Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) taking place on the 27th January. In addition to the sponsorship announcement, SBK and Fairyhouse have confirmed a prize fund increase of the SBK Dan & Joan Moor ..read more

In this week’s Association of Irish Racecourses column we turn to the premier county, as the team at Thurles are busy preparing for their next race meeting on December 17th. Racecourse Manager, Kate Molony shares all about her plans on and off the track for their annual festive highlight. The feature race on Sunday the 17th is The Billy Harney Memorial Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle of €30,000 kindly sponsored by Billy’s family. Fondly remembered by many Irish Field readers, Billy was a horse trainer based in Templemore outside Thurles and he was a vet at the track for many years also. Sadly, B ..read more

Ballinrobe Racecourse has been crowned “Racecourse of the Year” at the Horse Racing Ireland awards, held on Monday evening, December 4th, 2023 at the Mansion House in Dublin. The honor was graciously accepted by Racecourse Chairman, Kenneth Murphy, and Racecourse Manager, John Flannelly. The findings of an online industry survey taken earlier this year was used to determine the nominees for this award. Ballinrobe emerged as the clear winner having topped a number of the survey’s categories. The Horse Racing Ireland awards ceremony, that recognizes excellence and achievement in the horse racing ..read more

As Christmas is fast approaching and the festive season is well and truly underway, the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR) is taking the opportunity to highlight some wonderful gift ideas from its members’ racecourses and share some dates for upcoming race meetings in this week’s column. Christmas racing has always been a firm favourite for many offering a unique opportunity to catch up with their loved ones and friends in a social and sporting environment. This December there are quite a few race days to choose from across the country. Starting quickly with Dundalk and Fairyhouse followed ..read more

The Fairyhouse Winter Festival takes place on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd of December. This week we caught up with Peter Roe, Manager of the County Meath venue to get all the details for what promises to be a cracking weekend of racing. On day one of the Fairyhouse Winter Festival racing is set to go to post at 11:30am, the highlight being the Grade B EasyFix Handicap Chase worth €50,000. The eight race card is set to draw some interesting racing. The Grade 3 Willow Warm Hurdle being an informative race with some of the top four year olds from last season making their seasonal debut. Last year ..read more

The Association of Irish Racecourses is delighted to feature Punchestown Racecourse as they announced details of the new look Punchestown Winter Festival that will take place on Saturday, November 25th and Sunday 26th. The home of Irish jump racing will embrace the new later dates and roll out a festive feel across the weekend where, in addition to brilliant sport, there will be live music each evening, a special edition shopping village, FREE family fun and delicious seasonal additions to the food and beverage menus. Central to the overhaul is the improved top class racing line up with a priz ..read more