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Bellewstown racecourse reminds even the most jaded race goers of what horse racing is all about. It could be its wonderful rural setting in the valley of the River Boyne. Perhaps its the views from the Hill of Crockafotha, including the Mountains of Mourne to the north, or the Irish Sea to the east. More probably, it will be because Bellewstown reawakens your interest with the unmistakeable sights, sounds, and smells of summer racing at its best.
It is believed horse racing was being staged at Bellewstown as early as the seventeenth century, but the first meeting to be recorded obtained a printed reference in the August 1726 edition of the Dublin Gazette and Weekly Courier.
Over fifty years later, in one of the many apparent paradoxes of Anglo Irish politics, George Tandy, a former mayor of Drogheda, and the brother of the freedom fighter James Napper Tandy, persuaded King George the second to sponsor a race at Bellewstown. The race, first run in 1780, was named His Majestys Plate, and for the first running, the king donated a prize of £100. Thereafter, royal sponsorship remained uninterrupted right up till 1980, when it was decided to concentrate the British monarchs sponsorship on one race. Unfortunately for Bellewstown, the race chosen was the Royal Whip, which forms part of the racing action at the Curragh.
Like many other racecourses in Ireland, Bellewstown is looking to the future, and in recent years, ground works have been undertaken to improve the racing surface's to ensure they can cope with the demands made by modern thoroughbreds, and in 2009 the realignment of the west home bend added to the provision of faster and safer racing on the course.
Bellewstown now stages two very well supported meetings. The first comprises three consecutive days in late June or early July, and this is followed by a two day meeting in mid to late August.
Bellewstown stages flat racing, and national hunt races over hurdles.
The course is run left handed over an undulating circuit measuring one mile one furlong in circumference. The home straight is three furlongs in length, has a consistent uphill climb to the winning post, and exhibits a kink to the left at the one and a half furlong point. The back straight is also three furlongs in length, and incorporates a downhill run. Both of the bends on the course have been cambered, so as to minimise any sharpness in the turns.
There is a chute start which joins on to the home straight, and this enables the racecourse to stage five furlong sprint races on a straight track.
In sprint races, low drawn horses have a statistical advantage.
The hurdles course uses five flights. Two are positioned in the back straight, with the other three hurdles forming an uphill jumping test in the home straight.
The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, and Owners and Trainers.
Ticket holders can obtain views of the racing action from the grandstand or paddock areas. There is also access to all the public areas of the racecourse.
The course has a self service dining room, snack bar, and there are also several other fully stocked bars.
Corporate dining facilities are also available on request - see Contact Details below.
There are parking facilities for Disabled Badge Holders, and on course specialist toilet facilities.
The racecourse management will also help in any way to improve your visit to Bellewstown, so please make contact if you require specialist facilities, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Friday 01 July
Saturday 02 July
Sunday 03 July
Wednesday 17 August
Thursday 18 August
Bellewstown racecourse is situated just off the N1 main road between Dublin and Belfast. The course is well signposted from the main road.
Bellewstown is around thirty eight kilometres north of the outskirts of Dublin, with Drogheda to the north, and Balbriggan to the south, both being around eleven kilometres distant.
Drogheda and Balbriggan railway stations are both on the main line from Dublin. There are local taxis, or connecting bus services to Bellewstown.
For information on connecting bus services from Dublin, contact Busarus:
Eire telephone number: 01 836 6111.
From U K, tel no: 00353 1 836 6111.
Dublin international airport is around 33 kilometres from Bellewstown.
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The stylish award winning d hotel brings an exciting new element to the medieval town centre of Drogheda, and a wonderful starting point from which to explore the beauty, history, and modern sporting facilities of the Boyne Valley. Just 25 min's from Dublin airport and city, and only 1 and a ½ hour drive from Belfast on the M1 motorway. The d hotel is the perfect location for business or pleasure.
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