TRAMORE RACECOURSE
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Introduction:
Translated from its Gaelic form, Tramore means Long Strand, and for an extended part of their history, Tramore races were held on a beach which had been prepared for horse racing.
The first recorded races on the beach at Tramore took place in 1785, and due to the support of the local communities, by 1807, the strand races had evolved, and they had turned into a six day 'Festival' held during the summer month of August - a tradition which is maintained right up to the present day.
Despite the early success of the race meeting, by 1888, the facilities and regularity of the beach based meeting had declined, and it took the organising skill of local landowner Martin J Murphy to revitalise the fortunes of Tramore races. Heading up a committee of local businessmen, he redeveloped the beach facilities, and breathed new life into the annual event.
However, the ongoing ravages of the sea were exacerbated by particularly bad storms during 1911, and this caused severe damage to the beach facilities. Martin J Murphy once more came to the rescue, and offered his land on Graun Hill as a potential site for a new racecourse. The racecourse committee accepted the offer, and the racecourse has been at this site ever since.
After Martin Murphys death in 1920, the running of the course was passed to Senator J J Parkinson and Thomas Fleming, and the family of the latter were involved in the running of the racecourse right up until 1996.
However, in 1997, a consortium under the leadership of Peter Queally, bought the racecourse, and then invested five million euros in upgrading the facilities.
In recent times, Tramore has achieved two footnotes in world racing history. On the first of January 2000, in front of a crowd of eleven thousand race goers, the course staged the first horse race of the new millennium. This race was entitled, The Mean Fiddler Handicap Steeplechase, and was won by a horse with the optimistic name of, No Problem. Then on the first of January 2002, Tramore became the first racecourse to stage a race meeting using the Euro as the medium of exchange.
Referred to as, Where Turf Meets Surf, Tramore is a popular vacation site, and it offers holiday crowds a mixture of seaside entertainment and racing action.
Tramore stages eleven days of racing. The four day summer meeting in August includes three evening fixtures. The two day New Year meeting incorporates the last day of the old year and the first day of the new year. There are also two day fixtures in April and June, and a single day of racing in October.
Track facts:
Tramore stages an even mix of flat and national hunt racing.
The course is a sharp right handed irregular oval measuring one mile in circumference. It has some severe undulations, including a steep descent around the home turn, and then a climb up the one furlong run in to the winning post.
The hurdles course has four flights on each circuit.
The steeplechase course has five fences on each circuit.
It is interesting to note, if run left handed in a training gallop, although on a smaller scale, Tramore mimics the gradients and format of Epsom racecourse.
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Enclosures and hospitality:
The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, or owners and trainers.
Grandstand and Paddock Ticket.
The grandstand offers views over the whole course, and it is particularly good for obtaining close up viewing of the final stages of each race. Ticket holders also have access to all other public areas of the racecourse.
For those who enjoy a meal with their racing, the course offers a choice. There is a pleasant self service restaurant, or a take away restaurant for those who prefer to keep on the go.
The Front Room is a function room combined with a bar. It holds up to two hundred guests, and can be booked by a single corporate organisation. If not booked, it is open to all race goers, and with its views over Tramore Bay, it offers a relaxing place to obtain a drink between races.
With its facilities for up to six hundred race goers, the Inside Track Bar has a conservatory, and offers a friendly and cosy atmosphere.
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Disabled facilities:
The course offers wheelchair access to most of the public areas.
Disabled toilet facilities are also available.
Fixtures:
2011:
Thursday 11 August
Friday 12 August
Saturday 13 August
Sunday 14 August
Thursday 06 October
Saturday 31 December
TRANSPORT LINKS:
By Road:
Tramore racecourse is located on Graud Hill, and is 1 kilometre inland from Tramore town. Access is available from the Waterford to Tramore road.
Race goers approaching from Cork City should use the N8 and N25, before following the signs for Waterford.
From Dublin use N7 and N9, and then follow signs to Waterford.
Approaching Waterford, pass over the bridge and follow signs for Tramore.
By Rail:
Waterford Plunkett railway station has regular services to Dublin Heuston, Limerick and Rosslare.
By Bus:
A regular bus service operates from outside Waterford Plunkett station to Tramore. For full details on local services contact Waterford bus station, telephone number: 051879 000.
By Air:
Waterford airport is only twelve kilometres from the racecourse. The airport offers daily flights to Birmingham, London Luton, and Manchester.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Address:
Waterford and Tramore Racecourse,
Tramore,
County Waterford.
Racecourse telephone details:
Eire tel no: 051 38 1425.
From UK, tel no: 00353 51 38 1425.
Racecourse fax details:
Eire fax no: 051 39 09 28.
From UK, fax no: 00353 51 39 09 28.
E-Mail: racing@tramore.ie
ACCOMMODATION:
Ramada Viking Hotel Waterford.
Eire tel no: 051 33 69 33.
From UK tel no: 00353 51 33 69 33.
Opened in 2005 Ramada Viking Hotel is located in the historic city of Waterford and is the perfect base for race-goers attending the nearby Tramore Racecourse. The hotel provides free car parking and is located just 5km from Waterford Railway Station and 12km from Waterford Regional Airport.
Ramada Viking offers well appointed ensuite guest rooms, including adjoining rooms and adapted rooms for guests with mobility requirements. All of the hotel’s rooms offer; comfortable beds for a good night’s sleep, remote controlled television with satellite channels, broadband internet access and the standard room amenities discerning guests expect from a quality hotel. In addition guests can be assured of great service from the friendly and professional staff.
The hotel’s restaurant; Valhalla Restaurant not only offers the best breakfast in Waterford, it is also a popular lunchtime venue and offers a superb dinner menu which includes traditional Irish dishes with a Mediterranean twist. Valhalla Restaurant also offers a fine selection of recognisable and delicious new world wines. Asgard Bar is the perfect place to meet and chat. In the evenings it serves a delicious selection of bar meals and provides coverage of live sporting events on a large television screen. Live entertainment may also be enjoyed in Asgard Bar on certain weekend nights throughout the year.
For full details on Ramada Viking Hotel, or to book direct, use the link below
Fitzwilton Hotel Waterford.
Eire tel no: 051 84 69 00.
From UK tel no: 00 353 51 84 69 00.
Located in the heart of Waterford City, a mere two minute stroll form the city’s main train & bus station, and with all the city has to offer on your doorstep , the Fitzwilton Hotel provides outstanding accommodation for race-goers attending Tramore Races. The hotel is also just fifty metres from the Bridge which carries the main road into Waterford City, thus providing direct access to the major routes to Dublin, Limerick and of course, Tramore.
The hotel boasts 91 rooms & suites, all featuring stylish wood and soft furnishings. Many of the rooms possess floor to ceiling windows offering breathtaking views over Waterford City. Every guest room provides; comfortable beds for a good night’s sleep, LCD TV, complimentary broadband internet access, and all other room amenities guests would expect from a such a stunning hotel. To further enhance your stay, the Fitzwilton hotel also offers luxury suites, including a penthouse suite.
Situated on the ground floor of the hotel, Restaurant Chez K’s is an award winning and highly recommended culinary experience. Put simply, exquisite food and exceptional wines are served by a professional but unobtrusive staff in a contemporary dining area which exudes a friendly and relaxed ambience. Alternatively, guests can sample the hotel’s Met Bar Café. This lively area serves an array of classic drinks, quirky cocktails, and fine coffees. A wide ranging menu of quality bar style meals and snacks is also available throughout the day.
For further information on the Fitzwilton Hotel Waterford, or to book directly, use the link below.
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