DOWN ROYAL RACECOURSE
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Introduction:
In the early years of organised horse racing in Ireland, Ulster was solely represented by Downpatrick, and even this course owed its existence to the policies of James the Second.
Carrying on his family’s tradition of encouraging and developing horse racing throughout their domains, James the second used the royal charter of 1685 to create The Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders. The underlying purpose of the new body was to improve the quality of race horses in Ireland, and this was to be achieved through the use of selective breeding. As part of their strategy to recognise high quality stock, the new body organised race meetings at nearby Downpatrick, and this involved the 1690 meeting, which featured the Byerley Turk, who later became one of the three famous stallions behind the modern thoroughbred stud industry.
As a measure of their long term success, The Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders helped to found the Irish stud industry, which is now one of the strongest and most successful in the world.
Following on from the success of the course at Downpatrick, the course at Down Royal was opened in the early eighteenth century. By 1750, it enjoyed royal support, for in that year, king George the second donated a prize of £100 for a Kings Plate race, and albeit the prize is larger, this race continues to be supported by the Privy Purse right up to the present day.
Over the last fifteen years, Down Royal has eclipsed its Ulster counterpart at Downpatrick. Large financial investment has created new facilities, and greatly improved the quality of racing at Down Royal. A new grandstand, corporate facilities, weighing room and administration block, have turned Down Royal into a modern racing amphitheatre. This is reflected in the quality of current racing. During the summer months, the three day festival meeting features the £75,000 Specsavers Ulster Derby, while the two day winter festival in November has several major races including the £150,000 Grade one James Nicholson Wine Merchant Chase.
The improvement in overall standards has attracted top trainers along with their leading horses. Two good examples are; Media Puzzle in 2002, won the Ulster Derby on his way to winning the Melbourne Cup in the same year, and in 2008 the Paul Nicholls trained Kauto Star won the jmwine.com Chase before going on to reclaim his Gold Cup crown at Cheltenham.
For race goers who enjoy high quality racing in excellent surroundings,
during 2010, Down Royal will offer twelve days of competitive and exhilirating racing.
Track facts:
Down Royal stages both flat and national hunt racing.
The almost square shaped flat track at Down Royal is run right handed. It is a long course, measuring one mile seven furlongs in circumference. There are several undulations, including a down hill run to the home turn, and then
an uphill run to the winning post.
On the home turn, a chute joins the main course, and this creates the five furlong straight sprint course.
The national hunt course is located alongside the flat course, and is almost identical in layout.
The steeplechase course has ten fences.
The hurdles course has eight flights.
Enclosures and hospitality:
The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, or Owners and Trainers.
Grandstand and Paddock Ticket.
The main grandstand offers great views over the whole racecourse, and close up views of the home straight and winning post.
There is a self service restaurant, the Winning Post Café, several bars and fast food counters. To accommodate the larger crowds at major festivals, additional bar and snack facilities are provided in the main enclosure.
The racecourse has several privat boxes located in the main grandstand, and the Corporate Dining Room on the first floor of the grandstand offers fine dining for up to 130 guests. Corporate marquees for up to 1,500 guests can also be arranged on request.
Disabled facilities:
No details available.
Fixtures:
2011:
Thursday 17 March
Monday 02 May
Friday 27 May
Friday 17 June
Saturday 18 June
Friday 22 July
Friday 26 August
Friday 09 September
Friday 04 November
Saturday 05 November
Monday 26 December
Transport Links:
By Road:
Down Royal racecourse is located 4 kilometres from the town of Lisburn, and 16 kilometres from Belfast city.
Race goers travelling from Belfast should exit the city on the A1. At the Hillsborough roundabout, take Harry’s Road, go straight at the cross roads, and then continue along the Aghnatrisk Road. At the next cross roads, turn right on to Kesh Road. The racecourse is located around two miles down this road.
From Dublin, take the N1 to Newry, and then the A1 to the Hillsborough roundabout. Then follow the directions above.
Car parking at the racecourse is free of charge.
By Rail:
Belfast to Dublin express trains stop at Lisburn railway station. Taxis can be caught at this point.
Lisburn railway station is around 4 kilometres from the racecourse at Down Royal.
By Bus:
Ulster bus operate the 51 service from Belfast Europa bus station. This service drops off around a mile and a half from the racecourse. Travel time is around forty minutes, but a taxi pick up is then advised.
By Air:
Located under 20 kilometres from Down Royal racecourse, Belfast City and Belfast International are the nearest airports.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Address:
Down Royal Racecourse,
Maze,
Lisburn,
County Down,
Northern Ireland,
BT27 5RW.
Racecourse telephone details:
UK tel no: 028 92 62 12 56.
From Eire, tel no: 0044 28 92 62 12 56.
Racecourse fax details:
UK fax no: 028 92 62 14 33.
From Eire fax no: 0044 28 92 62 14 33.
E-Mail: info@downroyal.com
ACCOMMODATION:
Malone Lodge Hotel.
UK tel no: 028 9038 8000.
From Eire tel no: 0044 28 9038 8000.
Offering a relaxing oasis for Down Royal race-goers, the award winning Malone Lodge Hotel is a chic Victorian Townhouse Hotel nestling in the peaceful and leafy suburbs of the Queens Quarter of south Belfast. After a day at the races, you’ll be greeted with a smile of welcome, and the warm ambiance of the spacious two tiered lobby. With a friendly face to serve you a pint, and the good company, this is the ideal place to relax and recount your winnings.
Enjoy dinner in the relaxed and luxurious surroundings of our AA Rosette Award winning Green Door Restaurant. Only the best of fresh regional produce is served by Head Chef Dean Butler, from freshly prepared landed fish to locally reared venison.
Malone Lodge offers a range of accommodation options, from our Standard or Executive Bedrooms, luxurious Apartments and exclusive Suites. After a much needed rejuvenating sleep, start the day with a workout in the Fitness Suite, followed by a hearty Irish breakfast in the Green Door Restaurant.
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