Your chance to Strike Gold at Fairyhouse.
As per usual, Fairyhouse Racecourse hosts its 3 day Easter Festival (04 - 06 April 2010), but this year the racecourse has a new innovation which offers race goers a chance to win a Golden Ticket for Easter Monday, featuring the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National.
All general admission tickets bought online at www.fairyhouseracecourse.ie before 26 March for the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National on Easter Monday, will be entered into a draw for the Golden Ticket. The ticket will allow 10 lucky race goers a free up grade for themselves and a guest to an exclusive hospitality suite overlooking the winning straight on the most famous race day in the Irish racing calendar.
The Fairyhouse Easter Festival is a thrilling weekend of racing, fun and fashion. Children go free each day of the festival and adults can avail of 20% discount off adult admission tickets by booking online at www.fairyhouseracecourse.ie. For more information on the Easter Festival visit www.fairyhouseracecourse.ie or call Fairyhouse directly on 01 825 6167.
The Sun Shines on Family Fun at Leopardstown.
On Thursday 11 March Leopardstown Racecourse launched a series of Family Fun Racedays which will take place this year in association with the Children’s Sunshine Home and LauraLynn House.
The Family Fun Racedays coincide with the opening three meetings of the Leopardstown flat season, the 1000 & 2000 Guineas Trials, The Ballysax Stakes and the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial. The aim of these events is to provide the perfect day out for families, to support and raise awareness for the Children’s Sunshine Home and LauraLynn House and to introduce the local community to racing at Leopardstown.
The Family Fun Racedays are an integral part of the racing calendar at Leopardstown and will take place this year on three Sunday afternoons, 28 March, 18 April and 09 May. A percentage of all admissions will go directly to the Children’s Sunshine Home and LauraLynn House. Tickets are €15 per adult and all Children under 14 are free.
The Family entertainment will take place in the Family Fun House which will be located in the main enclosure, ensuring that Families stay close to the racing action. Activities and entertainment will include face painters, balloon modellers, a DJ, a magician, a range of exciting inflatables, Front Runner Racing Club, SNAG Golf and much more. The Front Runner Racing Club will introduce both children and their parents to the world of horseracing in a fun and interactive way.
The Family Munch Lunch was first introduced last year and proved to be a great success. Located in the Leopardstown Pavilion the Family Munch Lunch includes adult admission to the event, a two course lunch and a reserved table for the day. The Children’s menu includes a main course, dessert and either a soft drink or a juice and is just €6.50. The Family Munch Lunch can be pre-booked on www.leopardstown.com or by calling the Leopardstown office (01) 2890500 – from UK 00353 12 890 500.
A Punchestowns win can ensure free entry to the Punchestown Festival.
Punchestown racecourse today announced details of an exciting new promotion that could see the track reimburse Irish National Hunt Festival tickets purchased between now and St. Patricks day should the Nicky Henderson trained horse ‘Punchestowns’ win the RSA chase at Cheltenham.
The initiative could see thousands of racegoers attend the Punchestown Festival for free this April should its equine mascot land the Royal and Sun Alliance Chase on Wednesday 17 March at the Cheltenham Festival.
Punchestowns is the current favourite for the Grade1, 3 mile chase and is trading at 3/1 with Ladbrokes. Trainer Nicky Henderson, who has enjoyed plenty of success over the years at the Irish National Hunt Festival, commented on the initiative
“I think it is a great idea and a great incentive. I promise to do my best to win with Punchestowns at Cheltenham and then lots of racegoerscan have a great time at the Punchestown Festival for free. We will be going and the plan is to bring Punchestowns with us!”
When asked how the horse’s preparations were going Henderson said
“He has only had two runs over fences and although they were very good we would have preferred another before going to Cheltenham. He did make one mistake which was well publicised but we are all entitled to one mistake”.
On launching the initiative Punchestown’s General Manager Dick O’Sullivan said
“We have been handed a brilliant opportunity here with a top class horse carrying the Punchestown name. We see this as a novel way to give something back to the loyal clients of Punchestown and where better than in Cheltenham with Punchestowns!
The Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival runs from Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 April. Group Packages are available from just €29pp, General Admission €30, Reserved Enclosure Admission €40, Student and Senior Citizen Admission just €18.
*To avoid any confusion, Racingsight would emphasise this offer is open to General Admission and General with reserved Enclosure Admission tickets purchased between 9am Wednesday 24 February and 2pm Wednesday 17 March. Terms & Conditions apply.
Mallow to stage three day festival.
The traditional Easter Racing Festival at Cork Racecourse Mallow is being extended this year to become a 3 day food, arts and sporting festival highlighting all the Blackwater Valley region has to offer.
This year, local business people and community groups decided to further develop the event to promote not only Mallow, but the Blackwater Valley region. The new 3 day “Racing Home for Easter Festival Mallow 2010”, will include an on-street food and arts fair with the best of local produce on display, street concerts and other entertainment in the heart of Mallow town as well as sporting events and talent competitions.
Highlights of the 3 day festival to be held on April 3rd, 4th and 5th, include the 96FM Street Party sponsored by Market Square on Sunday April 4th, a Best Dressed Lady competition with great prizes on offer, guided heritage trails and walks, an Easter Egg hunt at Cork Racecourse Mallow on Easter Sunday, all this as well as 3 great days of racing, including 4 winner point to point races on Easter Monday.
There will also be a pub trail leading to great entertainment in all the Mallow pubs each evening.
A three day racing ticket can be pre-purchased from Cork Racecourse Mallow for the special price of €30 by calling 022-50207.
There has been widespread support for the new 3 day festival with Irish Rail offering train tickets to Mallow over the Bank Holiday weekend at special rates to Mallow from Dublin, Cork, Tralee, Killarney and Millstreet.
Improved customer facilities being prepared for Punchestown Festival 2010.
Punchestown racecourse have announced plans to invest €300,000 in customer facilities in advance of the 2010 Irish National Hunt Festival.
The facility upgrades are part of Punchestown’s commitment to delivering excellent value for money and enhancing the raceday experience for all patrons. The investment plan will see improvements in the public areas including the catering and bar facilities, the Owners and Trainers bar and the reserved enclosure at the Festival.
One of the most significant areas of investment will be in the main public catering venue, the Dobbins Food Hall, which will undergo a complete revamp with both “front and back of house” improvements. An estimated €150,000 will be spent upgrading and purchasing new catering equipment, fitting a streamlined service area and the complete renovation of the 200 seater dining section. In addition the display and “prep” areas will be improved to further facilitate Dobbins ability to deliver simple, fresh food that will be prepared, cooked and served daily.
Dynamic changes are in store for the Punchestown Festival Reserved Enclosure which will be trackside for the first time in 2010. This is an obvious improvement given that the viewing facilities are quiet literally on the final straight whilst being in close proximity to numerous bars including the all new Champagne Bar which will serve a selection of reasonably priced champagnes, wines and Festival cocktails.
Elsewhere on the track the various public bar facilities will also benefit from upgrades with decor, furnishing, efficient service and clearer signage being a priority.
Following on from the success of last years later start times the first race during the Festival will go to post at 3.30pm and final race at 7pm (Tuesday to Thursday) and 7.30pm on Friday with 8 races on the card. Saturday’s Family Day will commence at 2.30pm with the now famous Diageo Punchestown Private Sweepstakes race bringing down the Festival curtain in fitting fashion.
Commenting on the development plans Punchestown General Manager Dick O’Sullivan said,
“Value for money is the name of the game and in order to meet, and hopefully exceed the public’s expectations we are focusing on the key areas of food, drink and surroundings. We are confident that the thousands who come through the Punchestown gates will be impressed with the improvements and will have a great Festival experience at the right price”.
The Punchestown Festival takes place from Tuesday 20th to Saturday 24th April. Tickets: Reserved Enclosure €40, General Admission €30, Student and Senior Citizen €18, Group Packages from €29pp.
Musselburgh boost Derby Day Fixture.
Musselburgh Racecourse has announced it will stage a new Derby Day race, the totepool Edinburgh Cup, which will be worth at least £80,000.
The totepool Edinburgh Cup will be Scotland’s second richest flat race after the Ayr Gold Cup, and with race day prize money in excess of £200,000 - the new prime race, and the strong supporting card, will attract a host of high quality runners.
Run on Derby Day over the same distance as the famous Epsom classic and for three year old horses rated 0-105, Musselburgh believes the Edinburgh Cup will attract colts and fillies with the potential to progress to Group races.
Musselburgh’s most valuable race day will also feature the £50,000 totescoop6 Scottish Sprint Cup, which is now firmly established as a key five furlong event for the top sprint handicappers.
Other attractions on the June 5 race day include the £30,000 Edinburgh Castle Stakes, a conditions race for two year olds, which will be seen as a preliminary for horses heading to Royal Ascot. The £20,000 Tradesman’s Derby and the £15,000 Tartan Trophy will act as consolation races for the two main events, bringing the total prize pot to more than £200,000.
Musselburgh plan to build the Edinburgh Cup in to a £100,000 race in successive years and Channel 4 has already expressed strong interest with the feature race and two others included on its programming schedule.
Punchestown racecourse makes 2010 gesture.
Punchestown racecourse is delighted to present FREE ADMISSION to all 2010 UK racecourse members on the opening day of the Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival Tuesday 20th April 2010. To avail of this invitation please present a valid 2010 members badge from any UK racecourse at the designated turnstile for verification. For further information please visit www.punchestown.com and click on Visitors Day.
Important changes to Musselburgh Ladies Day.
One of Scottish horseracing’s most successful events – Musselburgh Ladies Day – is moving to a new Friday afternoon slot in 2010.
In previous years, Ladies Day has traditionally been held on the first Saturday in June, but the East Lothian course has now announced the 2010 event will take place on Friday June 18.
Ladies Day at Musselburgh has become a ‘mini Ascot’, with fashionable ladies and gentlemen of all ages making it a regular fixture in their social calendars. In fact, the race day has built up such a following, earlier this yearit was sold out three months in advance of the actual date of the meeting. So when we tell you tickets for hospitality packages and general admission for next year’s event are now on sale, if you want to be sure of reserving your places, It is in your own interests to make as early a booking as possible.
Musselburgh will continue to race on the first Saturday in June (05 June 2010) and plans are underway to launch a top quality handicap race which will attract top quality horses from the best training yards in the UK. Details of what will become Musselburgh’s richest race meeting ever will be announced shortly.
