Baldoyle Racecourse in Ireland ceased racing in 1973 primarily due to severe insurance issues and financial unviability. The site, which hosted racing since 1853, was later sold and redeveloped into a significant housing complex (part of the Baldoyle/Portmarnock development) in the early 2000s, capitalizing on the land's value and location.
History. Baldoyle with its sheltered waterside location, was a Viking base for many years, eventually razed by an attack by the King of Leinster in 1012. However, it remained under Danish control under the arrival of the Anglo-Normans, when the last Danish chieftain, Hamund McTorkaill, was overthrown.
Killarney Racecourse in County Kerry is one of Ireland's most scenic racecourses. It is situated within walking distance of Killarney Town centre. The track at Killarney Racecourse is an undulating, left handed oval track with a circuit of approx. 9 and a half furlongs in extent.
Dating back to 1685, Downpatrick Racecourse is the oldest racecourse in Ireland. It has long been a hub of local life and attracts visitors from far and wide for great sport, entertainment, and fun.
There isn't one single "biggest" racecourse, as it depends on the metric (size, attendance, prestige), but Leopardstown and The Curragh are top contenders, with Leopardstown drawing massive crowds for festivals and The Curragh being the heart of Irish flat racing, hosting iconic races like the Irish Derby, while Punchestown hosts Ireland's biggest National Hunt festival.
McNally was hit with the longest disqualification handed out to an Irish licence-holder in January 2023 after he was found guilty of conspiring to conceal ownership of Full Noise and All Class when they were trained by David Dunne.
In 1999 Sean O'Callaghan, a former member of the IRA, published details of the theft and stated that it was an IRA operation to raise money for arms. He said that very soon after the theft, Shergar had panicked and damaged his leg, which led to him being killed by the gang.
Sea The Stars is widely considered to be the most successful Irish racehorse to have ever lived due to his long list of accomplishments. The very first race of his career was when he was just two years old, where he finished in second place. After that, Sea The Stars was simply unbeatable until the end of his career.
The oldest recorded Irish surname is widely considered to be O'Clery (Ó Cléirigh), appearing in historical records around 916-920 AD with the death of Tigherneach Ua Cleirigh in County Galway, making it one of the earliest fixed hereditary surnames in Europe. Before this, names were typically patronymic (like "son of"), but the O'Clery name marks an early shift to fixed, hereditary family names in Ireland, along with other early "Ó" (descendant of) and "Mac" (son of) names like O'Neill.
Under the ownership of Ray and Mary Meehan The White House Bar and Restaurant has undergone an amazing transformation. All food served is locally sourced where possible.
An Daingean, which means The Fortress, will eventually replace Dingle, which means Valley, on road signs and in government paperwork. The change has been heralded by champions of Gaelic, the ancient tongue known for its bulky strings of unpronounced letters, which is spoken fluently by a small minority of Irish people.
Shergar's remains have never been found and the thieves have never been officially identified. Few gained from the theft of Shergar. The thieves never got any ransom and most insurers never paid out to the syndicate, claiming that the wonder horse could still have been alive after the policy had expired.
UKIAH, Calif., May 18 — Seabiscuit, one-time leading winner of the American turf, died of a heart attack last midnight, owner Charles S. Howard announced today.
The 80/20 horse racing system generally refers to two main approaches: a betting strategy where you place 80% of your stake on a horse to place and 20% to win, providing better coverage for near misses, or applying the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule) to handicapping, identifying the top 20% of jockeys/trainers/horses that win 80% of races for more focused betting. It's a way to balance risk and reward by focusing on consistent performers or creating more robust each-way bets.
How much does a jockey get paid per race in Ireland?
In Ireland, a jockey's pay per race includes a riding fee (around €175-€225 for ordinary races, higher for Pattern races) plus a percentage of prize money (typically 7-9% of the win), meaning earnings vary significantly by race type, with big wins netting substantial bonuses. Jockeys are mostly self-employed, earning these fees, which are subject to VAT and deductions for agents/insurance, with overall incomes ranging from entry-level to high six figures for top riders.
Racing at Thurles was abandoned after two races today due to a medical emergency involving jockey Michael O'Sullivan, who is receiving treatment following a fall. More news as we get it. God Be With you 🙏 Michael, And I Hope that Everything Will be O.K...
In 1999 Sean O'Callaghan, a former member of the IRA, published details of the theft and stated that it was an IRA operation to raise money for arms. He said that very soon after the theft, Shergar had panicked and damaged his leg, which led to him being killed by the gang.
The first and most obvious reason why euthanasia is sometimes necessary when a horse breaks a leg is that not all fractures are able to be repaired successfully. The biggest issue, that is unique to horses, is that they cannot bear weight for prolonged periods of time on three legs.
