LISTOWEL Harvest Racing Festival kick off this Sunday and its set to be fantastic week of entertainment for all the family.

Celebrating 166 years of top-quality racing at the scenic course in Listowel this year, Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday are all National Hunt meetings and Monday and Tuesday feature an all-flat race card.

Off the race course, there is something for everyone of all ages including five fashion competitions; exceptional free children’s entertainment with a petting farm and top live music acts including the return of ABBA Waterloo, plus the ‘Save your Heels, We’ve got Wheels’ free double-decker bus is back on Ladies Day.

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The opening day’s card is sponsored by Kerry Group and the feature race is the Kerry Group Handicap Steeplechase €45,000.

Sunday is family day sponsored by Garvey’s SuperValu and this year’s free entertainment includes a petting farm and the return of Giggles Entertainment with a mini Disco, face painting, free balloons and Coco Melon & Mickey Mouse will meet & greet all the children as they arrive.

Sunday also features the Lyrath Estate Most Stylish Racegoer fashion competition judged by top fashion blogger, Mary O’Donnell, with a prize fund valued at €2,000.

The feature race on Monday is the The John F. McGuire Handicap of €45,000. Monday also sees the return of a competition celebrating one of fashion’s most iconic wardrobe essentials – Denim Blue Jeans! Open to everyone, ‘Forever in Blue Jeans’ sponsored by O’Connors Farm Supplies and Hardware is  a great excuse to wear denim in any style from jeans to jumpsuits and style them up or down as you wish!

Tuesday’s feature race is the Edmond & Josie Whelan Memorial Listowel Stakes €40,000.

The Guinness Kerry National Handicap Steeplechase €200,000 (Grade 3) is on Wednesday and always attracts a huge crowd.  Post racing on Wednesday, ABBA Waterloo take to the stage at 6pm for a free concert on the course playing all the icon 70’s Swedish Supergroup’s smash hits.

On Thursday, the feature race is The Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Hurdle (Handicap) Listed Race of €60,000.

Back by popular demand, the Best Dressed Man’s Competition on Thursday is once again generously sponsored by Ryles Menswear Tralee and the judge is Cllr. Niall Botty O’Callaghan.

The overall winner will receive a custom-made suit from Ryle Menswear valued at €1,200 and the first runner-up will receive a full Benetti suit, shirt and tie. Anyone wishing to enter should be on course by 2pm and the finalists and winners will be revealed in the parade ring after the 5th race.

On Friday the feature race is The MCG Handicap Hurdle of €100,000. This is the 10th year of McElligotts sponsorship of Ladies Day at the Listowel Harvest Racing Festival and they are delighted to once again welcome on board Kia as official event co-sponsors.

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Judged by former Miss World, international model, and best-selling author Rosanna Davison, and award-winning top Irish fashion designer Heidi Higgins, the overall winner of the Best Dressed Lady will be jetting off to the Big Apple and staying in the fabulous Fitzpatrick Hotel in Manhattan.

In addition to this fabulous prize, there are also generous cash prizes of €1,000 for the Most Creative Headpiece as well as €500 for the Most Contemporary Outfit.

Anyone wishing to enter should be on course by 1pm and the judges will personally tour the course to select finalists.

The Charlie Chute Memorial Handicap Steeplechase, €50,000 is the feature race on the last day of the meeting, Saturday 28rd of September.

It’s also Sustainable Style Saturday. This fashion competition in association with Listowel Tidy Towns and An Taisce, continues to encourage racegoers to consider the circular fashion economy and re-style and re-wear preloved and vintage clothing.

This year the cash prizes are bigger than ever with €500 cash for the Most Sustainably Dressed Racegoer (male or female) sponsored by Listowel Race Company up for grabs and €100 for the first runner-up sponsored by Oonagh Chemco Pharmacy.

Judged by sustainability advocate and fashion personality Orlagh Winters, there are also new categories with a €300 cash prize sponsored by Con McCarthy Brokers for the Most Sustainable 1980’s look and €100 sponsored by John McGuire Pharmacy for the Most Sustainable under 16’s Outfit.

Tickets for the Races can be purchased online or at turnstiles on the day for €20 Sunday, Monday, Tuesday & €30 Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday, with a 20% discount for groups of 20 or more.

Visit www.listowelraces.ie for more information and follow the hashtag #listowelraces on Facebook, X and Instagram for updates and to join the conversation!