THE horse breeding and racing industries in Kerry generate an economic return of almost €65m per annum.
This is the key finding of a Regional Economic Impact Study conducted by Horse Racing Ireland and Deloitte, which is published today.
The study highlights the economic reach of the industry in the county – with almost 250 jobs in direct, indirect and secondary employment – and has found that County Kerry has 50 registered breeders and that over 40 horses are in training in the region.
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Kerry has produced a host of leading racing figures in recent years. Cheltenham Festival winning trainer Tom Cooper is based close to Tralee and is the father of Gold Cup winning jockey Bryan Cooper.
Killarney’s Jim Culloty is a three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winning jockey and trained Lord Windermere to win the race in 2014.
More recently, brothers Jack and Paddy Kennedy are flying the flag for the county with their continued success in the saddle as is Oisin Murphy who is likely to be crowned champion jockey in Britain this year.
Killarney racecourse, renowned the world over as one of the most scenic racecourses, holds its tremendously popular five-day July festival next week and the star attraction will be Frankie Dettori who will ride at the track on Wednesday, while the Listowel Harvest Festival meeting continues to be a massive success every year.
Brian Kavanagh, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “This new report really does underline the incredible impact the industry has on every corner of the country. The popularity of Kerry’s racecourses at Killarney and Listowel underpins the tradition of racing excellence in the county and it is an ambition of Horse Racing Ireland to build on the success of both the breeding and racing industries, increasing the numbers employed and adding to an already impressive contribution to the local economy.”
ULTAN Dillane is leading in the vote for Radio Kerry’s sportstar of the month competition for March, where he is up against two other Tralee natives.
The three nominees in the competition, sponsored by Randles Bros, all enjoyed a fantastic March and there’s still time to vote for your favourite.
Irish rugby international Ultan faces stiff competition from Gold Cup winning jockey Bryan Cooper and top Rás Mumhan-winning cyclist Sean Lacey for the award which is 50% decided by public vote, with the panel vote making up the other 50%.
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Ultan was on 460 votes as of 3.40pm this afternoon, trailed by Bryan on 318 and Sean on 38. People from the racing and cycling worlds better get voting if they want their men to overtake the Connaught player!
Dillane is starring for Connaught these days and made some great appearances from the bench for Ireland in the Six Nations. He was featured on RTE’s ‘Against The Head’ on Monday night (click here) where he gave a great interview, with Tralee RFC and its coaches also getting a mention on the show.
Top jockey Bryan Cooper enjoyed great success riding Don Cossack to victory last month and had a rapturous welcome back to Blennerville a couple of weeks ago.
Meanwhile Sean Lacey has been the top Kerry rider in Ras Mumhan for 3rd year in a row 2014 / 2015 / 2016. It’s his fifth time winning the award, the first time was 17 years ago in 1999.
People can vote on the Facebook page here until next Monday when the winner will be announced on Radio Kerry’s ‘Terrace Talk’.
.Denise Shanahan, Murt Murphy, Bryan Cooper, Maura O’Donnell, Tom Quane and ‘Skelper’ (centre, on Bryan’s shoulder) at the Cheltenham Preview Night in aid of St Brendan’s NS Blennerville at Skelper Quane’s on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
TRALEE’S Bryan Cooper and Philip Enright shared some of their tips for the Cheltenham festival last night at a ‘Preview’ fundraiser for Blennerville school.
Racing fans present in Skelper Quane’s in the village, heard expert tips from the top jockeys and other well-known figures from the racing world such as photographer Pat Healy, bookmaker Berkie Browne, Limerick Racecouse manager Conor O’Neill and MC for the evening, Murt Murphy.
They were asked for their fancies for the major races at the festival next week as Bryan Cooper is set to be a busy man riding for Gigginstown. He is one of the favourites to be leading jockey at the Cotswolds festival and was keeping his cards close to his chest on whether he’ll plump for Don Cossack or Don Poli in the Gold Cup.
The event managed to raise over €600 for the school while some of the lads’ tips might earn a lot more if the bets are placed right! Scroll down for photos…
.Clodagh Quane, Laura Couchman, Geraldine Cooper, Damien Fitzgerald and Seamus O’Sullivan at the Cheltenham Preview Night in aid of St Brendan’s NS Blennerville at Skelper Quane’s on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.James Murphy, Liam Murphy and Linda Jones at the Cheltenham Preview Night in aid of St Brendan’s NS Blennerville at Skelper Quane’s on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot CreanKevin O’Brien and Michelle Greene at the Cheltenham Preview Night in aid of St Brendan’s NS Blennerville at Skelper Quane’s on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Susan Goodwin and Helen Moriarty at the Cheltenham Preview Night in aid of St Brendan’s NS Blennerville at Skelper Quane’s on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Anthony O’Regan and Kieran Kennedy at the Cheltenham Preview Night in aid of St Brendan’s NS Blennerville at Skelper Quane’s on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean.Nora Corridon and Denise Shanahan at the Cheltenham Preview Night in aid of St Brendan’s NS Blennerville at Skelper Quane’s on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot CreanPatrick, Johnny and Seamie Foley at the Cheltenham Preview Night in aid of St Brendan’s NS Blennerville at Skelper Quane’s on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
A TRALEE native will be part of the 2015 Irish National Hunt Jockeys’ Team to face Australia in this year’s Jockeys’ Challenge. The team was announced at the Galway Races by President Michael D Higgins.
Niki O’Shea, who is based in Adelaide, will be joined by jockeys Jonathan Burke, Jody McGarvey and Australian-based Johnny Allen on the Irish team.
Nominated by Thoroughbred Racing South Australia, Niki and Johnny are among seven Irish jockeys sponsored to live and work in Australia and the Racing Authority hopes that including them in the Irish team will encourage more Irish jockeys to travel to Australia.
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Niki O’Shea (33), a native of Tralee, rode the first winner of his professional career for top National Hunt trainer Jessica Harrington.
Remarkably, he is taking part in the challenge series for the fourth time, making his debut in 2007. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, Niki has gained much of his experience working in Ireland with some of the leading trainers including the late Dessie Hughes and Conor O’Dwyer.
It has been 30 years since the first challenge, which took place in Ireland, and this will be the 40th clash between Australian and Irish teams of jump jockeys. Over the years, on nine occasions, a challenge took place in both countries in the same year. This is the 29th consecutive year that an Irish team has been invited to Australia to participate.
Team Australia won the Australia V Ireland Jockeys Challenge last year, despite Ireland winning the first leg. The score in the series stands at 24 wins for Ireland and 14 for the Australians with one drawn series. The last time that an Australian team came to Ireland was in 2007 when the visitors proved successful.
Jonathan and Jody will fly out with Team Manager Sean Lynch on August 22 and the series consisting of five races – one in Murray Bridge on Wednesday August 26th, two in Ballarat on Thursday August 27th and two on Irish Day in Morphettville on Saturday, August 29th. Irish day at Morphetville ranks as the second biggest raceday of the year in South Australia, attracting a large Irish contingent.
.Tralee man Michael O’Callaghan secured his first listed win for his new owners this week.
A TRALEE man, whom we earlier reported had two of his horses purchased by one of the world’s biggest owners (see previous story here), has this week secured his first listed win for them in Naas.
Michael O’Callaghan saw his horse ‘Letters of Note’ romp home to victory in the 7.35 at Naas on Wednesday July 22, and landed the featured Listed Yeomanstown Stud Dark Angel European Breeders Fund Stakes for the new owners.
It is a victory that is sure to delight not only the 26 year old, but also the new owners Sheikh Fahad Al Thani’s Qatar Racing and Pearl Bloodstock.
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“That’s great and it’s nice to have a bit of luck for them lads [Pearl Bloodstock]!” Michael told Irishracing.com.
“Pat [Smullen] gave her a great ride; he said it was too slow for her and he had to go and go for it. He said the better the race the better she’ll be as she has lots and lots of speed,” he said.
It’s clearly been a stellar few weeks for O’Callaghan and his team and with his skill and determination, we’re sure that this won’t be the last victory for the young trainer.
A TRALEE man has had a dream start to his horse training career when one of the world’s biggest owners purchased two of the horses he is training.
Twenty-six-year-old Michael O’Callaghan is in just his first full season with a licence and now Sheikh Fahad Al Thani’s Qatar Racing and Pearl Bloodstock have bought maiden winners ‘Aggression’ and ‘Letters Of Note’. Both horses will stay in training in the Tralee man’s yard in Kildare.
Michael, the son of Michael O’Callaghan from Tralee and Sandra Martin from Ballybunion, trains horses at his yard in Crotanstown on the Curragh in Kildare and had 11 winners last year.
He currently has 34 horses in training and is enjoying another successful season.
“Selling horses to such a major owner is a great advertisement for the yard, and for them to trust me to continue training the horses is a huge bonus,” Michael told www.thoroughbredracing.com in a recent interview.
A racing enthusiast from an early age, he spent time with Tommy Cooper in Tralee before heading to Kilsheelan Stud and Castlehyde Stud while taking the Irish National Stud training course in 2008.
He and his father set up Mill Grove Stud in Rathangan and began to prepare horses for breeze-ups before deciding to take out his own licence a year and a half ago.
Michael says he owes everything to his father who advises him in every aspect of the business.
They’re certainly proving a winning combination so far!
To read the full interview with Michael in www.thoroughbredracing.com, click here
.Louth Rose Jenny Hanlon, Galway Rose Olga Lee, Meath Rose Elysha Brennan, Longford Rose Daphne Howard, Kerry Rose Juliette Culloty and Cork Rose Aoife Murphy at the Kerry International Horse and Pony Racing in Ballybeggan on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE weather stayed fine for a weekend of great racing at Ballybeggan, but it failed to bring big crowds to the racecourse.
Punters enjoyed two days at the Kerry International Horse and Pony Racing event, while families were well catered for with children’s play facilities and a bouncy castle. However, it wasn’t enough to draw bigger local crowds with many of the people attending coming from outside the town.
There was style at the course as Caroline Horgan from Duagh won Best Dressed Lady prize sponsored by Curves and Divas and Dudes on Sunday, with some of the Rose of Tralee contestants also adding some glamour to the occasion on Saturday.
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Mary O’Donovan, Taylor O’Donovan, Rachel and Nicole O’Sullivan and in front Kyle and Cayden O’Donovan at the Kerry International Horse and Pony Racing in Ballybeggan on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanDeirdre Ryan and Elaine Bleahen, Galway, at the Kerry International Horse and Pony Racing in Ballybeggan on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanJudy Costello and Maureen Curtin at the Kerry International Horse and Pony Racing in Ballybeggan on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanAction from the Kerry International Horse and Pony Racing in Ballybeggan on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanAt the Kerry International Horse and Pony Festival on Sunday in Ballybeggan Racecourse were, from left: Mary, Tomas and Joe Bunyan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Kerry International Horse and Pony Festival on in Ballybeggan Racecourse on Sunday were judges of the Best Dressed Lady, from left: Denise Bourke, Lisa Geaney of Divas and Dudes and Majella Duignan of Curves. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Kerry International Horse and Pony Festival on Sunday in Ballybeggan Racecourse were, from left, front: Orla O’Connor, Nicole Walker, Sheila Higgins. Back: Teresa Walker and Paddy Higgins. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Kerry International Horse and Pony Festival on Sunday in Ballybeggan Racecourse were, from left: Chloe Keane, Caroline O’Sullivan, Nick Twomey, Sadhbh Hull and Jamie O’Brien. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Kerry International Horse and Pony Festival on Sunday in Ballybeggan Racecourse were, from left: Molly Sheehy and Aoife Sheehy. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Kerry International Horse and Pony Festival on Sunday in Ballybeggan Racecourse were, from left: Natalie Gilligan, Aine Beckett, Hugo Harley and Mary King. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At the Kerry International Horse and Pony Festival on Sunday in Ballybeggan Racecourse were, from left: Denis Brosnan, Ella Brosnan, Fiona Kissane and Sean Kissane. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
.Mark O’Sullivan and Ina Galvin getting Ballybeggan ready for the Kerry International Horse and Pony Festival this weekend. Photo By Dermot Crean
BALLYBEGGAN is all set for the off at the Kerry International Horse and Pony Racing Championships this Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28.
The event is now the largest Horse and Pony two day meet in the country and over the weekend it will shell out over €19,000 in prize money.
The event, which will be supported by Tralee Chamber Alliance and Kerry County Council, will see the park hold a fantastic weekend of top class racing guaranteed to entertain spectators.
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Racing is all set to get underway at 2.30pm on both days at a venue which will have a full bar and catering facilities, trade stands and a huge line-up of kids entertainment on offer to suit all ages including Bouncy Castles, Kids Disco, Frozen characters, Face-Painting and much more.
The finishing touches are being made to Ballybeggan Park and it’s looking great ahead of the arrival of over 240 ponies and horses who will compete against each other.
This is the second year of the race-meet – last year it coincided with the Rose of Tralee festival. This year, it was decided to not run the event alongside Rose festival, so it wouldn’t clash with the many things that go on during the festival.
The racecourse bar will feature music from John Buggy and Martin Hurley, it will also be showing the weekend’s GAA action along with the Irish Derby.
The Kerry, Longford, Meath, Galway, Cork and Louth Roses will also be in attendance on the Saturday.
Sunday, June 28 will be Ladies Day with the day offering fashionistas from all over the county an opportunity to showcase their finery at a wonderful social event with the chance of winning some great prizes from Divas and Dudes and Curves.
.At the launch of the 2015 Kerry International Horse and Pony Racing Championships, Ballybeggan Park, June 27-28 were; Ava Sugrue, John, Ciara and Sean Drummey, Mark Sullivan, Joan O’Regan, Bernard Cassidy, Gillian Wharton Slattery, Frank Hartnett, Colm O’Connor, Raymond and Ross Sugrue. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
THE white flag has been raised and it’s all systems go for a bumper weekend for race-goers when Ballybeggan Park hosts the Kerry International Horse and Pony Racing Championships on June 27-28.
The two-day family event, supported by Tralee Chamber Alliance and Kerry County Council, will see top class racing under the rules of the Horse and Pony Racing Association with cast weights applying.
There has been huge interest from the northern and Midlands regions from where many will be travelling to Tralee for the weekend.
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Racing will get underway at 2.30pm on both days at a venue complete with full bar and catering facilities, trade stands and a huge line-up of kids entertainment to suit all ages including Bouncy Castles, Frozen characters, Face-Painting and much more.
Sunday, June 28 is Ladies Day offering fashionistas from all over the county an opportunity to showcase their finery at a wonderful social event in Tralee.
Preparations for the Kerry International Horse and Pony Racing Championships are well underway with a number of volunteers from Towards a Better Tralee giving freely of their time to make sure Ballybeggan looks its best at the end of June.
The President of Tralee Chamber Alliance, John Drummey, said: “There has been a great tradition of horse racing in Tralee and ever since last year’s revival of the sport in the town, there has been a great appetite for more. The organisers deserve much praise and support for choosing Tralee for this event and we hope it will attract large crowds from all over Kerry and beyond. There will be a quality race card, full catering facilities and numerous entertaining side-shows for all ages.”
Some of the most famous names in the sport have raced around the Ballybeggan circuit including Adrian Maguire, Norman Williamson, Barry Geraghty and Bryan Cooper over fences and Richard Hughes, Pat Smullen, Jamie Spencer and MJ Kinane on the flat.
The organiser of the event, Colm O’Connor, said: “Horse and pony racing is where these people learned to ply their trade from an early age and this has helped them in no small way once they made the transition from outside to inside the rails and realising their dreams and ambitions of becoming top class jockeys. There will be a number of categories on the race card during the Ballybeggan event on the 27th and 28th June to suit ponies of varying heights and varying distances up to two miles for the horses.”
For more information about the Horse and Pony Racing at Ballybeggan Park, contact Mark Sullivan on markksull@gmail.com
Bryan Cooper claimed victory on Don Poli in the RSA Chase at 2.05pm today as the favourite won at a 13/8 starting price.
TRALEE jockey Bryan Cooper had a winner earlier today at Cheltenham.
Cooper, already an established jockey at the young age of 22 claimed victory on Don Poli in the RSA Chase at 2.05pm today as the favourite won at a 13/8 starting price.
It marks a happier return to the course for the jockey after sustaining a horrible injury in a fall in last year’s festival where he suffered a a double leg break.
He was congratulated on Twitter by another Kerry ‘Star’ as Kieran Donaghy who took to social media congratulate the young star.
THERE was great fun to be had at Ballybeggan over the weekend for the Kerry International Horse and Pony racing.
The crowds weren’t as big as hoped, but it proved to be an entertaining couple of days with some of the Roses turning up on the Saturday for a flutter.
Let’s hope it becomes a regular fixture at the course.
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Winner of the Best Dressed Lady competition Breda Brosnan (far right) with Rita Holly, B’Anne O’Connor, Brody Horgan, Caroline Horgan, Sandra Maher and in front, Holly Horgan and Aisling Maher at the Kerry International Horse and Pony Race Meeting at Ballybeggan on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanBookmaker Willie O’Donovan hands over the winnings to the Clare Rose Joanne O’Gorman and her Escort Dan Gallagher at the Kerry International Horse and Pony Race Meeting at Ballybeggan on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanAmanda Cains, Donna McLarnon and friend at the Kerry International Horse and Pony Race Meeting at Ballybeggan on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanAnna Ní Loingsigh, Tralee, Jack O’Sullivan, Listowel and Megan Enright, Tralee, at the Kerry International Horse and Pony Race Meeting at Ballybeggan on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanGerardine O’Leary, Markie Tarrant and Jacqui O’Brien at the Kerry International Horse and Pony Race Meeting at Ballybeggan on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanNicola and Ann Walsh at the Kerry International Horse and Pony Race Meeting at Ballybeggan on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanMaura Sheehy, Molly Sheehy, Ballyroe and Noreen Walsh, Ardfert, at the Kerry International Horse and Pony Race Meeting at Ballybeggan on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanThe Dublin Rose, Roisin Lyons and her Escort Ciaran Forsythe at the Kerry International Horse and Pony Race Meeting at Ballybeggan on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanRoisin Maher, Aisling Maher and Holly Horgan, Duagh, and friends at the Kerry International Horse and Pony Race Meeting at Ballybeggan on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanEllen McKenna, Cian Miller, Torran Miller and Siobhan Ashe, at the Kerry International Horse and Pony Race Meeting at Ballybeggan on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanGrace, Jarlath and Aisling Tolan and Barry Murtagh, Mayo, at the Kerry International Horse and Pony Race Meeting at Ballybeggan on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanAction from the Kerry International Horse and Pony Race Meeting at Ballybeggan on Saturday. Photo by Dermot CreanHorses in the parade ring at the Kerry International Horse and Pony Race Meeting at Ballybeggan on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Yeah, right! With all the events going on you’ll barely have time to catch your breath. Here’s how we recommend you spend your time…
Rose of Tralee International 10k
Where? Starts at Tralee Wetlands, end in Denny Street
When? 11am – 1pm
With the weather supposed to be mostly sunny tomorrow, what better way is there to take in the town and its surrounding area than with a 10k run.
You can do it anyway you like, the emphasis here is on having fun. If you’re not feeling energetic, cheer them on as they finish in Denny Street.
To register see www.traleemarathon.com
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Roses on Parade
Where? Denny Street
When? 2pm – 3pm
If you missed last night’s parade there is a chance to catch the matinee version this afternoon.
The Roses will again be brought through the town centre along with 700 of other participants including marching bands and floats.
Kerry International Horse and Pony Race Meeting
Where? Ballybeggan Racecourse
When? 3pm – 7pm
It’s back! The Tralee races has returned after a few years absence and is set to run 16 races over the two days.
It’s not just racing either, they’re will be plenty of entertainment on offer along with a few Roses in attendance too.
Admission, €10/€5 and kids are free!
Talent Time
Where? The Square
When? 3pm – 5pm
This event features the best of performers across all the youth clubs in Kerry.
This is a great chance for these stars of the future to show off their talents in front of a big audience and it is always fun watch.
Skyfest Air Display
Where? Denny St
When? 4pm – 5pm
In its fith year, Skyfest is fast becoming one of the features of the Rose weekend.
Daring pilots will take to the Tralee skies to wow onlookers with their death-defying tricks.
Taking part will be 5 RV-Aircraft along with the Coast Guard and Garda Air Support Helicopters.
Irish Music in the Square
Where? The Square!
When? 6pm – 11pm
Kicking off this extravaganza of homegrown talent will be Richie Kavanagh who will be belting out some of his lighthearted hits.
He will be followed by Heart and Soul. Headlining the night is Irish music heavyweight and festival favourite Brendan Shine who is returning once again to
The Kerryman Rose of Tralee Autumn/Winter Fashion Show
Where? The Dome
When? 8pm – 11pm
Get your glad-rags out, the fashionistas of Tralee and further afield will congregate in the Dome for the fashion event of the festival.
There 40 designers and boutiques taking part for this night of fashion, including The Design Centre, Synan O’Mahony and Kerry’s own international fashion trailblazer, Don O’Neill.
The Tralee Horse Racing Cup dating from 1791 which is for sale in a London antiques store.
THE races are coming back to Ballybeggan for the Rose Festival weekend, restoring the tradition of the sport in the town which has gone on for hundreds of years.
It was coincidental then that TraleeToday.ie came across a piece of silverware currently on sale in a London antique store.
Daniel Bexfield Antiques of Covent Garden is selling the ‘The Tralee Horse Racing Cup’, dated from 1791, for a cool £6,250.
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The piece is described as an Irish 18th century silver two-handled loving cup made by Matthew West of Dublin in 1791. It measures ten and a half inches in height and weighs almost 1.3kg.
The inscription reads “Tralee Races – July 19th 1792, Barry Denny Esq – Steward”.
Bexfied Antiques describes it on their website as “a rare Irish horse racing cup, Tralee is the county town of County of Kerry, Ireland. With original attractive bright-cut decoration, the cup is of superb quality and made from a thick gauge of silver. Excellent hallmarks and condition, without damage or repair.”
We contacted Daniel Dexfield in London and he told us that he acquired the piece a short time ago from a private collection.
“It’s clear from the cup that it has been cared for with love as it is of superb quality. It would make a perfect museum piece if anyone would like to bring it back to Tralee,” he said.
He said Matthew West, who made the cup, was a renowned silversmith from Dublin and this is a work of his highest standard.
It would be great to see the cup come back home for the races. Right then, any volunteers with deep pockets?
For more click here or call the London store on 00 44 20 7240 1766.
See more photos below…
The inscription on the cup.The interior of the cup, which has plenty capacity for champagne.
Mark O’Sullivan, Connie O’Connor and John Browne at the Ballybeggan Course getting it ready for Kerry International Horse and Pony Racing event which takes place on Saturday/Sunday, August 16/17. Photo by Dermot Crean
WORK is in full swing up in Ballybeggan at the moment as the course is taking shape for the Kerry International Horse and Pony meeting in just over two weeks.
The two day event will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 16-17 and while they’re cutting hay and silage on the course now, they are on track for having the venue ready come the Festival.
There will be 16 races over the two days with a ladies/family fun day on the Saturday.
Apart from a much anticipated visit by some of this year’s Roses and the Rose of Tralee, Haley O’Sullivan, one of main attractions at the meeting will be the second running of the Trophy Challenge between Ireland and Great Britain.
TraleeToday.ie visited the old course this week and spoke to Mark O’Sullivan, joint-secretary of the Kerry International Horse and Pony committee.
“The preparations are going very well. We started working on the course in the past two weeks. We powerhosed down all the main stand and cut the grass in front of it for the first time in seven years, we’ve replaced the railings so the whole place is nearly fit for purpose now,” he explained.
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“We’ll have a bar under the main stand set up, the parade ring has been dolled up so to speak and the toilets are ready for use. We’re not using the other stand as the roof has been taken off, so that area will be off limits,” he said.
“Creans of Dingle Brewing Company are our main sponsors so they’ll have their stands set up alongside hot-dog and fast food vans, ice-cream vans and a bouncy castle and children’s entertainment area,” Mark said.
Mark took me on a tour of the vast 110 acre site and it struck me how sad that the venue is only used about twice a year for the Kingdom County Fair and the coursing event in December.
But the workers up there are giving the place a lick of paint and getting the huge stables area ready for the horses.
“It’s taken a lot of work over the last seven or eight months to get everything organised for this meeting. We have all the races sponsored at this stage. It’ll be a great two days of racing and it’s at meetings like this that many of the top jockeys get started.”
Some of the most famous names in the sport have raced around the Ballybeggan circuit including Adrian Maguire, Norman Williamson, Barry Geraghty and Bryan Cooper over fences and Richard Hughes, Pat Smullen, Jamie Spencer and MJ Kinane on the flat.
“We’ve a lot of English people coming over for it and accommodation is sold out in Tralee. Many people coming for the meeting are staying in Castleisland. The town is looking great at the moment as well, so everything is coming together,” said Mark.
Colm O’Connor, Chairperson of the Kerry International Horse and Pony Committee was also looking forward to the event as he worked out on the course
“It’s going good now. Everybody’s putting the work in. The people of Tralee have been great with all the sponsorship and support so there’s great momentum building. We’ll be ready,” he said.
For more information click here for the Kerry International Horse And Pony Racing Facebook page.
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Tom Healy adding a lick of paint to a gate at Ballybeggan on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot CreanThe team at Ballybeggan working on the course on Tuesday. Back from left; Colm O’Connor, Willie O’Donovan, John Rayel and John O’Callaghan. In front; David Keane and Mark O’Sullivan. Photo by Dermot CreanThe parade ring which has been cut in time for the meeting in August. Photo by Dermot CreanThe grass has been cut and the flowers in bloom just inside the entrance to Ballybeggan on Tuesday. Photo by Dermot CreanThe course at Ballybeggan which is being readied for racing this August. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT’S racing season, so it’s time for ladies to style-up and head to Killarney for their summer meeting. You might even win a trip to Paris or Milan!
Tralee ladies always make an impression at the course and travel in their droves to enjoy the fun and place a few bets.
This year Kathryn Thomas and a host of celebrities will attend the Dawn Milk Ladies Day at the Killarney Races on Thursday, July 17.
TV and Radio Broadcaster Thomas and this year’s reigning Rose of Tralee, Haley O’Sullivan will judge the most stylish fashion.
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See ad for details of beauty event on July 11
The Dawn Milk Ladies Day is renowned across the country as one of the most prestigious ladies day events on the fashion calendar in Ireland.
The winner of the Dawn Milk Queen of Fashion will receive a trip for two to Paris and a specially commissioned vase.
The Dawn Milk Most Stylish Hat winner will receive a trip for two to Milan and a specially commissioned vase also.
A runner-up prize will also be presented in both categories. A total of 20 finalists will be selected by the judges, and ladies are advised to arrive early as the judges will be selecting finalists on the race course from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
All winners will be announced in the parade ring after the 5th race.
commented “We are delighted to continue sponsorship of Ladies Day at the Killarney Races,” said John O’Sullivan, General Manager, Dawn Milk .
“Dawn Milk has sponsored Ladies Day in Killarney for twenty-one years making it one of the longest ladies day patronages in Ireland. As always it promises to be a great day out,” he said.
IT’S been six years since punters could enjoy horse racing during the Rose of Tralee International Festival, but there’s good news for race-goers because Ballybeggan Park will host the Kerry International Horse and Pony Racing Championship in August.
Tralee Chamber Alliance has announced that the action-packed, fun-filled two day event will take place at the famous Tralee venue on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th August.
“Horse racing and the Rose of Tralee International Festival go hand-in-glove as the Festival was originally established in 1959 with a view to boosting attendances at the horse racing while attracting tourists,” said CEO of Tralee Chamber Alliance, Kieran Ruttledge.
“This year’s revival of the sport in Tralee during August should prove to a great spectacle where runners will compete from all over Ireland and also from across the water.”
The two day event will see top class racing under the rules of the Horse and Pony Racing Association with cast weights applying.
Apart from a much anticipated visit by some of this year’s Roses and the Rose of Tralee, Haley O’Sullivan, one of main attractions at the meeting will be the second running of the Trophy Challenge between Ireland and Great Britain.
The organiser of the event, Colm O’Connor, said: “Horse and pony racing is where these people learned to ply their trade from an early age and this has helped them in no small way once they made the transition from outside to inside the rails and realising their dreams and ambitions of becoming top class jockeys. There will be a number of categories on the race card during the Ballybeggan event on the 16th and 17th August to suit ponies of varying heights and varying distances up to two miles for the horses.”
Saturday, August 16 is Ladies Day while anyone planning to go racing at Ballybeggan during this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival will be spoiled for choice with a quality race card, full catering facilities and numerous entertaining side-shows for all ages.
For more information about the Horse and Pony Racing at Ballybeggan Park during the Rose of Tralee International Festival, contact Mark Sullivan on markksull@gmail.com.
