CURRAGH RACECOURSE. |
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Skip to Enclosures and Hospitality. Introduction:The Curragh, literally means Racecourse, and this is fitting for the spiritual home of Irish horse racing. Located near Newbridge, and Kildare town, the plains of the Curragh are inseparable from the history of horse racing in Ireland. As early as the third century, the Curragh was used as a meeting place for Irish kings and chieftains, and it is known, at these meetings, there were horse and chariot races. For the next thirteen centuries, records of horse racing at the Curragh are virtually non existent. However, it seems inconceivable, the Curragh would not have been used for some form of horse racing during this apparent hiatus. Beginning with 1634, records of horse racing activity at the Curragh reappear, and from that particular year, the archives clearly indicate the Curragh was being used to stage match races between horses owned by the landed gentry. After the restoration of Charles the second, the breeding, and training of Irish reared racehorses was positively encouraged by the British crown, and this new activity found a natural home in the area of the Curragh. Cherneys Racing Calendar of 1727, indicates regular race meetings for the Kings Plate had been taking place at the Curragh since the early seventeen hundreds. However, the first official race meeting under agreed rules seems to have taken place at the Curragh during 1741. By 1866, the Curragh staged the first running of the Irish Derby, and to further facilitate the racing potential of the site, the British parliament passed the first Curragh Kildare Act in 1868. This established the four thousand eight hundred and seventy acres of the Curragh as common pasture, which could be used for horse racing and training. Under British and then Irish governments, this Act was amended seven times, the most recent being in 1969. The Curragh is the Irish equivalent of Britains town of Newmarket. It has become the home of over a quarter of the horse training facilities in the republic, it also has several stud farms, including the National Stud, and it is also the home of many Irish racing companies and organisations. As if this were not enough, the Curragh is the venue for the five Irish classic races: The Budweiser Irish Derby, the Darley Irish Oaks, the Boylesports 1000, and 2000 Guineas, and the Irish Field Saint Leger. In 2008, the Currah will stage eighteen high quality race meetings. It is also hoped, subject to final planning permission, 2008 will witness the start of a multi million euros development to build a brand new five storey grandstand and accompanying facilities. Track facts:The Curragh is Irelands premier grade one racecourse, and specialises in the staging of top class flat racing. From the grandstands, the long course is a letter U lying on its left hand side, so its curved base appears to be to the right of the viewing race goers. The course is run right handed, and stages races up to two miles in duration. The course seems to be constantly on the turn, but this is due to the gradual nature of the bends. Either way, the track is ideally suited for galloping types, and is considered to be very fair to all runners. From the home turn to the winning post, the run in comprises a three furlong gradual climb. So, in addition to galloping ability, potential winners must also exhibit a measure of stamina. A five furlong chute joins on to the three furlongs of the home straight, so as to produce a course which can stage straight races of up to one mile in duration. For festival meetings, the running rails are moveable, and this allows for the exposure of fresh ground for each days racing. Statistics suggest low drawn horses are favoured on the sprint courses, while high drawn horses seem to have a slight advantage on the long course. Enclosures and hospitality:The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, Owners and Trainers, and Corporate Guests. These can be obtained by contacting the racecourse. Grandstand and Paddock Ticket. At present, the Curragh has two grandstands which are adjacent to the home straight. The Main Grandstand is nearest to the winning post, and on Budweiser Irish Derby Day only, it forms part of the Reserved Enclosure. The West End Grandstand is slightly further from the winning post, but still provides excellent views of the racing action. On Budweiser Irish Derby Day only, this forms part of the standard enclosure. The Horseshoe Restaurant offers two sittings for lunch. The first at 12 noon, and the other at two thirty. Afternoon tea is also available. However, as this restaurant is one of the finest dining experiences in Irish racing, advance booking is essential. New for the reserved enclosure in 2008, the Dubai Duty Free Bubble Lounge, in association with Berry Bros and Rudd, is the prime location to enjoy fine wine, or the newly formulated Berry's Irish Derby Cocktail. The Champagne Bar and Bistro is located adjacent to the parade ring. Apart from a selection of high quality champagnes, it also offers a menu of fine cuisine. The Balcony Bar is located on the balcony level of the main grandstand, and offers snacks along with hot and cold drinks. The Horseshoe and Curragh View Bars are both located on the first floor of the main grandstand, and both offer great views of the racing action. On Budweiser Irish Derby Day, all the above food and drink facilities, plus the parade ring, become part of the Reserved Enclosure. The Vintage Crop, and Horace Pinks Sports Bar are both located under the The Tote Betting Hall is home to several food and drink facilities, including, the fully stocked Railway Bar, Silks self service restaurant, and, A Weeping Phaiger, which serves Thai food, coffee and ice cream. On Budweiser Irish Derby Day, the food and drink facilities in the West End Grandstand and Tote Betting Hall are supplemented by the Star Sunday Party Zone Marquee, and these are the combined facilities which are available in the Standard Enclosure. Sandwiches, and various snacks can also be purchased from a series of smaller outlets scattered around the enclosure. While a picnic area, and childrens playground are located at the far end of the west End Grandstand. Disabled facilities:The Curragh car parks provide designated parking areas for disabled race goers. The racecourse provides two elevated viewing platforms, one overlooking the parade ring, and the other situated just after the winning post. The racecourse management have worked extremely hard to ensure all areas of the enclosure are accessible to wheelchairs. Fixtures:Sunday 30 March. Sunday 13 April. Monday 05 May. Saturday 24 May. Sunday 25 May. Saturday 07 June. Friday 27 June. Saturday 28 June. Sunday 29 June. Saturday 12 July. Sunday 13 July. Sunday 27 July. Sunday 10 August. Saturday 23 August. Sunday 31 August. Friday 12 September. Saturday 13 September. Sunday 14 September. TRANSPORT LINKS.By Road:Located three kilometres from Newbridge, and on the road to Kildare town, the Curragh is situated off junction 12 of the N7. Travelling time to Dublin is around an hour. By Rail:Trains from Dublin Heuston station, Waterford, Cork, Limerick, and Galway, all call at Kildare railway station. See below for details on a shuttle bus service to the racecourse. At the booking office in Dublin Heuston railway station, it is possible to purchase a joint railway ticket and racecourse entrance ticket for selected Curragh race meetings. On Budweiser Irish Derby Day, trains actually stop at the Curragh railway station. By Bus:On Curragh race days, Bus Eireann provide a direct bus service from Busarus in Dublin, which operates to and from the racecourse. For full details on Bus Eireann services from Busarus, please telephone: A shuttle bus service is available from Kildare railway station on all race days. The bus ferries race goers to and from the Curragh, with the last bus leaving the racecourse half an hour after the last race. By Air:Dublin international airport is around 42 kilometres from the Curragh. Subject to prior permission from the racecourse management, helicopters may land at the racecourse helipad. CONTACT DETAILS.Address: Curragh Racecourse, Curragh, County Kildare.Eire tel no: 045 44 1105.
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