The first of 19 race days at the Curragh this year on Sunday 21st March will kick start a very busy season planned for the County Kildare venue. Highlights of the year ahead include the Irish Guineas Festival (22nd and 23rd May) with a new sponsor about to be announced, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival (25th to 27th June), Darley Irish Oaks Weekend (17th and 18th July) and Autumn Festival of Racing featuring The Irish Field St Leger on 11th and 12th September.
The popular series of Ladies days featuring spectacular prizes will be supported by Louise Kennedy Tipperary Crystal on 23rd May, Kildare Village on 26th and 27th June and Miele on 18th July.
An important date for the diary is Newbridge Community Festival Day, which will be another exciting addition to the racecourse schedule, when it takes place on Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May. A variety of exciting entertainment will take place for all the family to enjoy, in addition to eight top class races. Proceeds from the day will be donated to some very worthwhile charitable causes through Newbridge Catholic and Church of Ireland Parishes. The day will incorporate a new initiative between the racecourse and Leinster GAA with some of the stars from the Football and Hurling world expected to participate and a variety of themed GAA entertainment for all the family.
Other exciting themed days will include a Lifetime in Racing Achievement Day, National Pony Club Race Day and Young Race goers initiative on 23rd May and student initiative on 11th October
The Curragh has been working with a number of partners to upgrade facilities throughout the racecourse complex for this year. These include the refurbishment of all public bars and restaurants with the support of Curragh Carpets and Woodies DIY, together with the development of a new Garden Enclosure adjacent to the Bollinger Champagne Bar using product from Kilsaran Lifestyle and outdoor furniture from the Naas based Jondol Furniture Collection who also refurbished the impressive interior of the champagne bar last year. Larry Behan & Sons have assisted the racecourse with upgrades to the car parking and enclosure areas through the supply of new tar macadam.
The Tote have introduced a brand new Tote Sports Lounge in what was previously the Horseshoe Bar and this facility will ensure that nobody misses out seeing any of the sporting action. To celebrate the launch of this new facility on 21st March the tote have agreed to sponsor the Irish Lincolnshire.
JC Catering have recently been appointed as the new racecourse caterer and will work on improving the quality and choices on offer for the public to enjoy on race days.
A variety of new valued added admission packages have been introduced this year including a Punters Package for €20 to include admission, racecard, 5 Food & Beverage voucher and €2 Tote Bet and Jolli Bolli Package for €25 which includes admission, racecard and glass of Bollinger Champagne. These must be purchased in advance.
Admission for all race days will be €15, Group One days including Audi Pretty Polly Stakes day on 26th June and Moyglare Stud Stakes day will be reduced to €15, while 1000 and 2000 Guineas Day, Darley Irish Oaks Day and The Irish Field St Leger Day will remain at €20. Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day will remain at €40. Generous concessions will be available for seniors and Under 25s on all days.
The Curragh will work closely with RACE to introduce some exciting initiatives targeting both secondary and primary school students. 12 apprentice jockeys currently enrolled at RACE will take part in an exhibition race on Monday 22nd March to give students a behind the scenes experience of horse racing. Johnny Murtagh will ride with the students over 7 furlongs. The apprentices will donate proceeds raised through sponsorship to charities such as Horse Welfare Trust, Kildare Hospice and Vincent De Paul
For further information on the Curragh, call 045 441205 or see www.curragh.ie