Horse racing in Ireland

Last updated

Irish Derby day, 2014, at the Curragh racecourse Irish Derby Day 2014 - The Curragh.jpg
Irish Derby day, 2014, at the Curragh racecourse

Horse racing in Ireland is intricately linked with Irish culture and society. The racing of horses has a long history on the island, being mentioned in some of the earliest texts. Domestically, racing is one of Ireland's most popular spectator sports, while on the international scene, Ireland is one of the strongest producers and trainers of Thoroughbred horses. The Irish horse racing industry is closely linked with that of Great Britain, with Irish horses regularly competing and winning on the British racing circuit.

Contents

History

Earliest records

Insular style illustration of a man riding a horse, from the Book of Kells Book Of Kells Horseman.png
Insular style illustration of a man riding a horse, from the Book of Kells

Horse racing in Ireland has a very long history. The ancient text Togail Bruidne Dá Derga (Destruction of the Mansion of Da-Derga) mentions chariot races taking place on the Curragh during the lifetime of the monarch Conaire Mór, [1] [2] whose reign is disputed but is believed to have occurred sometime between 110 BC [3] and 60 AD. [4] The use of the Curragh as an early location for horse racing is also mentioned in a gloss to the 7th century Liber Hymnorum . [1] The mythological Fianna were said to have enjoyed horse racing without the use of chariots; [5] the Book of Leinster contains an early poem mentioning races at the Curragh and near Croom, as well as a tradition of racing on the beach in Kerry, [4] a tradition which continues today. [4] [6] [7] [8] There are later mentions of "horse matches" in Galway in the 13th century under the "Kings Plate Articles". [9]

The earliest datable evidence, however, is a 1603 royal warrant entitling the governor of Derry to hold fairs and markets at which horse races could be staged. [10] Horse racing was evidently popular in the 17th century: a 1622 poem tells of a jockey killed participating in a horse race in Carrickfergus, [11] while other accounts mention a 1634 race between Lord Digby and the Earl of Ormond, [12] and the establishment in 1682 of a race by Lord Kildare, with a plate of 40 pounds to the winner. [2] In a correspondence to King Charles II in 1673, Sir William Temple stated "Horses in Ireland are a drug... we see horses bred of excellent shape, and vigour, and size, so as to reach great prices at home, and encourage strangers to find the market here." [13]

Establishment of the sport

Racing became more competitive with the introduction, in 1666, under King Charles II, of the King's Plate Races, [11] [14] designed so as to favour a fast yet strong horse, capable of winning a 4-mile race with a weight load of 12 stone. The winning horses were much sought after for breeding, leading to rapid improvement of the breed, with horses not in the winnings still capable hunters. [15] [16] The Curragh was awarded its plate in the 1670s, followed by the establishment in 1685 of a studbook under the Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders to promote the breeding of racehorses. [17] The introduction of the Penal Laws, restricting Catholics to owning horses of a value less than £5, did little to deter horse owners, resulting in races limited to horses of that value. Race meetings were increasingly advertised in the press, and by 1750 even the English Racing Calendar advertised some 71 Irish events. [18]

The origin of the Steeplechase was a 4.5 mile match race between Buttevant and Doneraile, County Cork, across natural countryside, beginning and ending at the eponymous steeples of each of the towns. [19] [20] [21] The race, ran between locals Edmund Blake and Cornelius O'Callaghan, started a trend of racing cross-country, in a manner derived from fox hunting, with a prize replacing the quarry - a cask of wine in the original race. [20] [22] The early steeplechases offered little more than an agreed-upon landmarks as start and finish points, with the riders free to choose their own path, but later races used a line of flags to indicate a determined course. [23] In the 1830s, artificial courses were laid out in numerous locations, in a similar fashion to flat racing courses, with weight allowances based on the age of the animal, a predecessor to today's National Hunt. [23]

Crowd at Punchestown Festival, circa 1868 Very Grand Stands (8422393425).jpg
Crowd at Punchestown Festival, circa 1868

A regulatory body was initially set up as the Society of Sportsmen, changing its name to The Jockey Club by 1755, before taking on its present name of The Turf Club in 1784. [11] [24] Although an independent body, on occasion it referred disputes to the English Jockey Club. [24] A similar body for National Hunt races, the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee, was formed under the Turf Club to ensure fair running of National Hunt meetings. [23] [25] [lower-alpha 1]

The first recorded race meet at Laytown took place in 1868, at a time when beach races were a relatively common occurrence. [26] The first racing festival at the Ballybrit racecourse took place in the following year, with a reported 40,000 spectators in attendance. [9]

In the mid-19th century, the racehorse industry saw a decline linked to the aftermath of the Napoleonic wars. Economic strife led to less investment in horse breeding, and capable horses were more likely to be raced in England where the prize money was larger. However, with the expansion of the Irish rail network, racecourses sprung up in new locations, with such large numbers travelling by train to race meetings that railway companies began offering free travel to competing horses. [27]

20th century

Winning Irish horse Clonespoe at the Curragh in 1924, ridden by J. Moylan Clonespoe (6363429223).jpg
Winning Irish horse Clonespoe at the Curragh in 1924, ridden by J. Moylan

The First World War didn't initially see the cancellation of horse racing, and Thoroughbreds did not feature prominently among the 300,000 horses. Although the 1916 Rising resulted a 6-week ban on race meetings, they continued shortly afterwards. Horse racing was temporarily banned on 4 May 1917, following complaints concerning the oat intake of Thoroughbreds. The ban led to public outcry, especially in Ireland where some 20,000 people were believed to be employed in the embattled racing industry. Fearing further unrest, the British government gave a concession to allow the Curragh festival of 8–10 May, finally relenting on 20 June. [28] In 1915, the British National Stud was based in the Curragh, becoming the Irish National Stud after independence. [29]

In the post-independence period, many efforts were made to regulate and support the horse racing industry in Ireland, and a greater effort was made to promote Irish horses internationally. [29] As early as 1926, the Irish Free State legislated to allow off-course betting, and the Tote was introduced in 1930 to raise funds for the industry. [30] The Emergency that accompanied the Second World War was reportedly beneficial to horse racing, as restrictions on foreign and motor travel led to an increase in spectator numbers. [31] The Irish Racing Board, the predecessor to Horse Racing Ireland, was set up in 1945 to oversee the economics of the industry, [30] [29] followed by the Irish Horse Authority in 1995 and Horse Racing Ireland in 2001. [30]

Measures introduced by these organisations have helped the industry go from strength to strength. The Irish horse racing industry is today worth €1 billion per annum, employs over 14,000 people, and is a major player on the international scene. [32]

Types of racing

Horse racing on Doolough Beach, County Mayo as part of the Geesala Festival Geesala Races, Doolough Beach.jpg
Horse racing on Doolough Beach, County Mayo as part of the Geesala Festival

Flat

In Ireland, the Flat racing season runs from mid-March to mid-November, and comprises races started from stalls, run over 5 to 20 furlongs. [33] These races are held at 23 racecourses, of which 3 run only Flat. [34]

National Hunt

National Hunt racing, or Jump racing, is run year-round in Ireland, but the main season takes place from November until the end of April, coinciding with the lull of the flat racing season. Run over a minimum of 2 miles, National Hunt races require the horses to clear a number of obstacles. [33]

There are three types of National Hunt race: [33]

Steeplechase and Hurdle races are held each year at 23 courses, of which 3 run exclusively National Hunt races. [34]

Other

A number of other types of horse racing take place in Ireland, including Harness racing [38] [39] [40] and Endurance racing. [41] [42] [43]

Racecourses

There are 26 major racecourses in Ireland, [44] [45] [46] [47] [32] more per head of population than any other country, [48] with more than 350 race meetings and 2,000 races annually. [45] [46] [49] More than 1.3m people visit Irish racecourses each year, [46] with crowds in excess of 100,000 annually attending both the Punchestown Festival in April, and the Galway Races in July. [50] The majority of racecourses are turf, with Dundalk being the only floodlit all-weather polytrack. [51] [10] Laytown holds the distinction of being the only beach racecourse in the country adhering to the rules of the Turf Club, with one race meeting held each year on a natural sand track; [10] [26] however unaffiliated beach races are frequently held on beaches in some parts of the country. [6] [7] [8] [52] [53]

List of major Irish racecourses

Ireland adm location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Pink pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Pink pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Pink pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Pink pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Pink pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Red pog.svg
Pink pog.svg
Red pog.svg
class=notpageimage|
Location of Horse Racecourses in Ireland.
Red pog.svg Current; Pink pog.svg Former.

Horse Racing Ireland recognises the following racecourses: [46]

Ulster

Munster

Leinster

Connacht

Races have previously been held under the Rules of Racing at a number of other locations. Races were held at Tralee until 2008, when the course was sold for redevelopment. [54] [55] Unaffiliated races are frequently held at many locations throughout the country. [56] [52] [57] [53]

Major festivals

The main races in the Irish horseracing calendar are the Irish Derby, the Irish Champion Stakes, the Irish Oaks, the Irish 1,000 Guineas and the Irish 2,000 Guineas. [lower-alpha 2] The minimum prize money per race in Ireland is currently (2017) set at €9,000, with the highest average prize money per race in Europe. In 2016, the total prize money awarded was €56.8 million. [51]

Irish Thoroughbred breeding

Thoroughbred breeding is an important economic activity in Ireland. There are over 43,000 Thoroughbreds in Ireland, 35% of the country's equine population; [58] there are more horses per head of population than in any other European country. [10] [59] More than 80% of these Irish-bred Thoroughbreds are exported to 37 countries, generating an estimated €229 million per year; [60] [61] nearly 80% of these exports are to Great Britain. [58] Ireland is the largest producer of Thoroughbreds in the EU, producing 40% of the EU's Thoroughbreds, [58] [62] [63] and the fourth-largest in the world; [58] [59] additionally, 4 of the top 10 stallions in Europe are based in Ireland. [61]

It has been suggested that the success of Irish Thoroughbreds, both at home and abroad, is partly due to its climate and geography; [64] [10] [59] [58] [65] the wet, temperate climate and limestone-rich soil encourages the growth of calcium-containing grass, [10] [65] while the mild temperatures and lack of seasonal variability allow year-round grazing. [63]

Horse racing in Irish society

Ireland is seen by many as a "horse nation". [10] [59] [65] A recurring part of Irish culture, the horse has been romanticised in art and literature for many centuries. [10] [21] In particular, the Thoroughbred, and horse racing in general, is seen as one of the country's main traditions: [66] [67]

The tradition of racing runs very deep in Ireland. It is here that steeplechasing was born; it is here that many of the most illustrious horses in racing history have been bred over the course of several centuries. In terms of geology and climate, our country is an ideal location for the raising of young horses.

— Submission by the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine [66]

Thoroughbred breeding in Ireland is intricately linked with Irish rural life and community. [68] Horse breeding and training is a key economic player in regions of the country where there are few employment opportunities. [66] Horse race attendance is a strong contributor to tourism, with approximately 80,000 people travelling to Ireland annually to attend racing events. [60]

Key entities

Jockeys

Jockey Joseph O'Brien on board Australia at the Curragh Racecourse on Irish Derby day in 2014 Australia, Irish Derby, 2014.jpg
Jockey Joseph O'Brien on board Australia at the Curragh Racecourse on Irish Derby day in 2014

Dennis Fitzpatrick was the first professional Irish jockey to race in England, particularly noted for taking part in match races towards the turn of the 19th century, [69] beginning a long history of professional Irish jockeys in the United Kingdom. [70]

In Ireland it is not uncommon for jockeys to ride in both National Hunt and Flat races, [71] however, the weight allowance for Flat is lower than that of National Hunt. A valid Flat or National Hunt licence must be held to ride in either type of race. [72] Point-to-point races are open only to non-professional jockeys, who must register as "Qualified Riders" but need not meet the requirements for Flat or National Hunt licences. [35] [73]

Trainers

The Turf Club is responsible for licensing trainers. [74] There are over 700 licensed trainers in the country, the majority of which are licensed to train horses for both Flat and National Hunt, although they usually specialise in one. For the duration of its training, the horse is stabled with the trainer, who is responsible for its general upkeep, as well as training. [75]

Owners and breeders

In Ireland, racehorses may be owned solely, in partnership or in syndicate. Roughly 8,000 Thoroughbreds are born each year, [61] with 20% of the yearly foal crop publicly auctioned by bloodstock auction houses, such as Tattersalls and Goffs. [76] [77] [10] They may also be sold directly by trainers, breeders or agents. [77] Racehorse owners are the largest source of income to the Irish racehorse industry, contributing over €400 million each year. [60]

There are over 6,000 registered breeders in the country, 93% of which have fewer than 5 broodmares. [58]

Organisations

Horse racing organisations are funded through a number of sources, including membership fees, taxation of betting, a foal registration levy, profits from the Tote, and direct contribution from the Government of the Republic of Ireland. [78]

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) was established in 2001 in an effort to promote Irish Horse racing and Thoroughbred breeding at an international level. The HRI has a number of responsibilities, including the management of the national Thoroughbred studbooks (registration with Weatherbys is also a requirement for all Irish Throughbreds [79] ), the development and operation of a number of racecourses, and the authorisation of bookmaking and funding. It is a member of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, the European and Mediterranean Federation of Horseracing Authorities and the European Pattern Committee. [32] [80]

The Turf Club , established in 1790, is the regulatory body for Horse racing in Ireland, including both Flat and National Hunt racing, and incorporates the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee (INHSC). One of the main functions is the provision of stewards to implement Rules of Racing during races. [81] [80] In January 2018 a new organisation, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board , will become the regulatory body for horse racing in Ireland. [82]

The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA) represents the Thoroughbred breeding industry both in Ireland and abroad, and is involved with a number of industry bodies. Its activities also include the monitoring of equine diseases and dissemination of veterinary information to its members. [83] [84]

The Irish Racehorse Trainers Association (IRTA) was founded in 1950 to represent licensed racehorse trainers in Ireland and, today, has a membership of almost 430 individuals. [85] [80]

The Association of Irish Racehorse Owners (AIRO) is the official representative body for racehorse owners in Ireland, and has over 1,900 members. [86] [48]

The Association of Irish Racecourse Owners (AIR) was established in 1964 to further the interests of racecourses and represent their owners. Its membership comprises all Irish racecourses. [45] [84]

The Irish Jockeys Association (IJA) represents jockeys in the industry, and is notable for running, in association with the Turf Club, the Irish Jockey's Trust, which supports jockeys and former jockeys in difficulty. [87] [88] [89] [48]

The Irish Stablestaff Association (ISSA) lobbies for improved working conditions and pay for stable staff. [90] [84]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Some sources place the formation of the INHSC at 1866, but this is when its British counterpart, the Grand National Hunt Committee, was recognised by the Jockey Club
  2. ↑ Listed in order of prize money, these races all appear in the 2011 list of the 380 richest horse races in the world, at positions 52, 141, 286, 357 and 358, respectively

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thoroughbred racing</span> Sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses

Thoroughbred racing is a sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport – flat racing and jump racing, the latter known as National Hunt racing in the UK and steeplechasing in the US. Jump racing can be further divided into hurdling and steeplechasing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horse racing</span> Equestrian sport

Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic premise – to identify which of two or more horses is the fastest over a set course or distance – has been mostly unchanged since at least classical antiquity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horse racing in Great Britain</span>

Horse racing is the second largest spectator sport in Great Britain, and one of the longest established, with a history dating back many centuries. According to a report by the British Horseracing Authority it generates £3.39 billion total direct and indirect expenditure in the British economy, of which £1.05 Billion is from core racing industry expenditure and the major horse racing events such as Royal Ascot and Cheltenham Festival are important dates in the British and international sporting and society calendar.

In horse racing in the United Kingdom, France and Republic of Ireland, National Hunt racing requires horses to jump fences and ditches. National Hunt racing in the UK is informally known as "jumps" and is divided into two major distinct branches: hurdles and steeplechases. Alongside these there are "bumpers", which are National Hunt flat races. In a hurdles race, the horses jump over obstacles called hurdles; in a steeplechase the horses jump over a variety of obstacles that can include plain fences, water jump or an open ditch. In the UK, the biggest National Hunt events of the year are generally considered to be the Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Run</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Hurricane Run (2002–2016) was a world champion Irish-bred thoroughbred racehorse. He was the second French-trained horse, after his sire Montjeu, to win both the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He was trained by André Fabre in France and ridden in all but one of his races by Christophe Soumillon or Kieren Fallon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Point-to-point (steeplechase)</span>

A point-to-point is a form of horse racing over fences for hunting horses and amateur riders. In Ireland, where the sport is open to licensed professional trainers, many of the horses will appear in these races before they compete in National Hunt races. Consequently, the Irish point-to-point tends to be used as a nursery for future young stars: a horse that wins its debut point-to-point in Ireland will often sell for a high price. Whilst professional trainers are specifically excluded from running horses in point-to-points in Great Britain, the days of the farmer running his hunter at the local point-to-point are gone.. Increasingly, horses are run from "livery yards" - unlicensed but otherwise professional training establishments, sometimes closely allied with a licensed yard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steeplechase (horse racing)</span> Horse race form originally from Ireland, featuring jumps over fence and ditch obstacles

A steeplechase is a distance horse race in which competitors are required to jump diverse fence and ditch obstacles. Steeplechasing is primarily conducted in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Australia, and France. The name is derived from early races in which orientation of the course was by reference to a church steeple, jumping fences and ditches and generally traversing the many intervening obstacles in the countryside.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curragh Racecourse</span> Horse racing venue in the Republic of Ireland

The Curragh Racecourse is a flat racecourse in County Kildare, Ireland. The racecourse is home to Ireland’s five most important flat races, known as the Classics. Racing takes place 23 days each year from the end of March until late October. Guided tours of the venue are available outside of race days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henbit (horse)</span> American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Henbit was an American-bred and British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse, best known for winning the Derby in 1980. After winning one minor race as a two-year-old, he showed improved form in 1980 to win the Classic Trial Stakes and the Chester Vase. He won the Derby in a fast time but sustained a leg injury in the race which ruled him out for the rest of the year. He failed when returning as a four-year-old and was retired to stud, where he had limited success as a sire of winners.

Scorpion is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. As a three-year-old in 2005 he won the Grand Prix de Paris and the St. Leger Stakes. In 2007 he won the Coronation Cup.

The Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint is a Weight for Age stakes race for thoroughbred racehorses three years old and up. As its name implies, it is a part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, the de facto year-end championship for North American thoroughbred racing. The distance of the race will vary depending on the host track's turf course requirements.

The Turf Club was the regulatory body for horse racing in Ireland until 31 December 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dubawi</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Dubawi is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire.

Nebbiolo (1974–1980) was a British-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from May 1976 to July 1977 he ran twelve times and won six races. He won five times as a two-year-old including the Curragh Stakes in Ireland and the Gimcrack Stakes in England. In the following year he recorded his most important victory when he defeated The Minstrel in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. After failing to win in three subsequent races he was retired to stud where he showed considerable promise before his death in 1980.

Patrick Joseph Prendergast (1910–1980), known as Paddy "Darkie" Prendergast was an Irish trainer of racehorses. He won seventeen Irish classics and became the first Irish trainer to have a major impact on British flat racing. He trained the first Irish winners of the 2000 Guineas and The Oaks and was British champion trainer for three successive seasons.

Dickens Hill was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. The colt showed promising form as a two-year-old in 1978, winning the Anglesey Stakes and being narrowly beaten by the English-trained Tap On Wood in the National Stakes. In the following year he emerged as the best Irish racehorse of his generation, winning the Ballymoss Stakes and the Irish 2000 Guineas in Ireland in spring and the weight-for-age Eclipse Stakes in Britain in July. He also finished runner-up to the outstanding English-trained colt Troy in both The Derby and the Irish Derby. At the end of his three-year-old season he was sold and exported to the United States where he made little impact as a racehorse and proved to be a disappointment as a breeding stallion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Racing Academy and Centre of Education</span>

The Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE) is a jockey training school at the Irish National Stud near Kildare, Ireland. Its Trainee Jockey Course is a foundation course in race riding and stable work, taught in a 42-week residential program. Students typically go on to either jockey apprenticeships or stable work after completing the course. Johnny Murtagh and Cathy Gannon are among those who have gone on to success as racing jockeys after taking the Trainee Jockey Course. RACE also offers other training and certification in race riding, the care of horses and racehorse training, including riding courses for international students. The Irish School of Farriery run by the Irish Farriery Authority is located in a purpose-built building on the RACE campus, and several other organisations involved in the equine sector are also located here.

Mistigri was a British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. A specialist stayer who competed in at least five countries, he was campaigned for four seasons from 1973 to 1976 and won four of his 24 races. His two major successes came when he won the Irish St. Leger as a three-year-old and the Desmond Stakes a year later. He was placed in several other good races and looked unlucky to be disqualified after finishing second in the Ascot Gold Cup. After his retirement from racing he had some success as a sire of steeplechase horses.

Order of Australia is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. He ran fifth on his only start as a juvenile in 2019 and in the following year he showed promising but unremarkable form over long distances, winning two minor races and finishing fourth in the Irish Derby. In November he was dropped back in distance and recorded an upset victory in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Sonnyboyliston is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. He made no impact as a two-year-old and was gelded before returning in 2020 to win three handicap races. He improved to become a top-class stayer as a four-year-old in 2021, winning the Martin Molony Stakes, Ebor Handicap and Irish St Leger.

References

  1. 1 2 Cusack, Margaret Anna (1868). "15". An Illustrated History of Ireland (2nd ed.). Irish National Publication. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  2. 1 2 "History of the Curragh Racecourse". www.curragh.ie. Archived from the original on 20 June 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  3. ↑ "Annals of the Four Masters - M5091". celt.ucc.ie. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 Hennessy, W. M. (1866). "On the Curragh of Kildare". Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 9: 343–355. JSTOR   20488923.
  5. ↑ Joyce, P W (1906). "25". A Smaller Social History of Ancient Ireland. London, New York, and Bombay: Longmans, Green, & co. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  6. 1 2 "Glenbeigh Horse Racing". www.destinationringofkerry.com. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  7. 1 2 "Glenbeigh Racing Festival". www.glenbeighfestival.com. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  8. 1 2 "Beal Bán races extends to beat the tide - Independent.ie". Independent.ie. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  9. 1 2 "Galway Festival History". www.galway-races.net. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Ireland and the Thoroughbred". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  11. 1 2 3 "Racing the Irish Way: A Guide to Racing in Ireland" (PDF). itm.ie. p. 6. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  12. ↑ Paul, Rouse (2015). Sport and Ireland: A History (First ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 63. ISBN   9780198745907.
  13. ↑ Temple, Sir William (1814). The Works of Sir William Temple. F.C. and J. Rivington. pp. 20–21. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  14. ↑ Paul, Rouse (2015). Sport and Ireland: A History (First ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 64. ISBN   9780198745907.
  15. ↑ Brown, Thomas (1830). Biographical Sketches and Authentic Anecdotes of Horses: And the Allied Species. Illustrated by Portraits, ... of Celebrated and Remarkable Horses. Daniel Lizars; Whittaker, Treacher, & Arnot, London; and W. Curry, jun. & Company Dublin. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  16. ↑ Clee, Nicholas (2012). Eclipse. New York: Overlook Press. p. 98. ISBN   978-1468303339.
  17. ↑ Paul, Rouse (2015). Sport and Ireland: A History (First ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 65. ISBN   9780198745907.
  18. ↑ Paul, Rouse (2015). Sport and Ireland: A History (First ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 66. ISBN   9780198745907.
  19. ↑ "History". The Queen's Cup Steeplechase. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  20. 1 2 "National Steeplechase Museum - History". www.steeplechasemuseum.org. Archived from the original on 8 May 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  21. 1 2 Robinson, Mary. "ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT ROBINSON AT THE 33rd ANNUAL CONGRESS OF THE BRITISH EQUINE VETERINARY ASSOCIATION, ON 15 SEPTEMBER, 1994". www.president.ie. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  22. ↑ "Sporting and cultural life in Cork in the early 20th century". www.census.nationalarchives.ie. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  23. 1 2 3 "Steeplechasing Notes". www.tbheritage.com. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  24. 1 2 Paul, Rouse (2015). Sport and Ireland: A History (First ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 67. ISBN   9780198745907.
  25. ↑ "Provisional Summary of Point to Point Racing (Online Version) 26 September 2015 - 13 December 2015" (PDF). Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  26. 1 2 "About - Laytown Races Horse Racing on the Beach". www.laytownstrandraces.ie. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  27. ↑ Paul, Rouse (2015). Sport and Ireland: A History (First ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 106–107. ISBN   9780198745907.
  28. ↑ Lambie, James (2010). The Story of Your Life: A History of the Sporting Life Newspaper (1859-1998). Troubador Publishing Ltd. p. 319–324. ISBN   9781848762916 . Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  29. 1 2 3 Nauright, John (2012). Sports around the World: History, Culture, and Practice [4 volumes]: History, Culture, and Practice. ABC-CLIO. p. 121. ISBN   9781598843019 . Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  30. 1 2 3 "Racing the Irish Way: A Guide to Racing in Ireland" (PDF). itm.ie. p. 7. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  31. ↑ More O’Ferrall, Roderic (1944). "Changes Must Come in Racing". www.irishhistorylinks.net. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  32. 1 2 3 "Mission Statement". Horse Racing Ireland. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  33. 1 2 3 "Visit Leopardstown - Racing Guide | Leopardstown Racecourse". www.leopardstown.com. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  34. 1 2 "Racing the Irish Way: A Guide to Racing in Ireland" (PDF). itm.ie. pp. 49–76. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  35. 1 2 "Irish Thoroughbred Marketing - Point-to-Point racing". www.itm.ie. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  36. ↑ "What is a Point to Point?". www.turfclub.ie. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  37. ↑ "Irish Point to Point". www.p2p.ie. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  38. ↑ "The Irish Harness Racing Association". www.irishharnessracing.com. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  39. ↑ "I.T.H.R.F Harness Racing Cork". harnessracingcork.com. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  40. ↑ "The Irish Horse Industry Report, January 2016" (PDF). Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine The Irish Horse Industry. January 2016. p. 30. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  41. ↑ "Endurance - Horse Sport Ireland". Horse Sport Ireland. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  42. ↑ Ireland, Endurance Riding. "Endurance Riding in Ireland - ILDRA - Affiliated to Horse Sport Ireland - Irish Long Distance Riding Association (-1)". www.enduranceridingireland.com. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  43. ↑ "Endurance Ireland The future of Irish Endurance". Endurance Ireland. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  44. ↑ "Irish Racecourses - Going Racing in Ireland". www.racing-index.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  45. 1 2 3 "AIR - Association of Irish Racecourses". www.air.ie. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  46. 1 2 3 4 "Racecourses". Horse Racing Ireland. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  47. ↑ "Racecourses". IRIS - Racecourse Integrity Services Ltd. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  48. 1 2 3 "Racing the Irish Way: A Guide to Racing in Ireland" (PDF). itm.ie. p. 19. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  49. ↑ "Review of Certain Aspects of the Irish Horse Racing Industry" (PDF). Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. 20 July 2012. p. 15. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  50. ↑ "Irish Thoroughbred Marketing - Racecourses". www.itm.ie. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  51. 1 2 "Irish Thoroughbred Marketing - Racing in Ireland". www.itm.ie. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  52. 1 2 "Geesala Festival & Horse Racing". www.mayo-ireland.ie. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  53. 1 2 "Kilkee Strand Races". www.loophead.ie. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  54. ↑ "Irish Racecourses and Horseracing Tracks in Ireland". Irish Horse Society. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  55. ↑ "The close of Tralee - Independent.ie". Independent.ie. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  56. ↑ "Dingle Horse and Pony Racing Festival". www.dingleraces.ie. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  57. ↑ "Louth Hunt Point-to-Point moves to Bellurgan". Dundalk Democrat. 7 April 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  58. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The Irish Horse Industry Report, January 2016" (PDF). Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine The Irish Horse Industry. January 2016. p. 7. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  59. 1 2 3 4 "Odds On Favourites: Irish Horse Racing". Ireland.ie. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  60. 1 2 3 "The Irish Horse Industry Report, January 2016" (PDF). Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine The Irish Horse Industry. January 2016. p. 6. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  61. 1 2 3 "The Irish Horse Industry Report, January 2016" (PDF). Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine The Irish Horse Industry. January 2016. p. 27. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  62. ↑ "Review of Certain Aspects of the Irish Horse Racing Industry" (PDF). Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. 20 July 2012. p. 9. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  63. 1 2 "Irish Thoroughbred Marketing - Breeding". www.itm.ie. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  64. ↑ Lynghaug, Fran (2009). The official horse breeds standards book : the complete guide to the standards of all North American equine breed associations. Minneapolis: Voyageur Press. p. 607. ISBN   9780760334997.
  65. 1 2 3 "Enjoy the Sport of Kings". www.irelandsancienteast.com. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  66. 1 2 3 "Review of Certain Aspects of the Irish Horse Racing Industry" (PDF). Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. 20 July 2012. p. 7. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  67. ↑ Byrne, Darragh (Director); Whelan, Mairead (Producer); McSweeney, Ella (Presenter) (25 August 2014). Power In The Blood – The Story of The Irish Thoroughbred (Television production). Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Ireland has a very unique relationship with the horse. For generations, they've been at the centre of Irish life... The horse has been the most versatile and valued animal throughout Irish history... [Horse racing] is at the very heart of our culture.
  68. ↑ "The Irish Horse Industry Report, January 2016" (PDF). Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine The Irish Horse Industry. January 2016. p. 28. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  69. ↑ The history of race riding and the Jockeys' Guild. Turner Pub. Co. 1998. p. 13. ISBN   9781563114564.
  70. ↑ John, McBratney. "How Irish jockeys saddled up and took a great leap forward to world-class level". The Irish Times. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  71. ↑ "Licence Holders". www.turfclub.ie. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  72. ↑ "Careers in the Horse Racing Industry". www.workinracing.ie. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  73. ↑ IRISH NATIONAL HUNT STEEPLECHASE REGULATIONS FOR POINT TO POINT STEEPLECHASES 2016 / 2017 (PDF). Office of the I.N.H.S. Committee. p. 32. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  74. ↑ "Assistant Trainers Licence". www.turfclub.ie. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  75. ↑ "Association of Irish Racehorse Owners". www.irishracehorseowners.com. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  76. ↑ "Racing the Irish Way: A Guide to Racing in Ireland" (PDF). itm.ie. p. 39. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  77. 1 2 "Association Of Irish Racehorse Owners". www.irishracehorseowners.com. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  78. ↑ "The Irish Horse Industry Report, January 2016" (PDF). Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine The Irish Horse Industry. January 2016. p. 9. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  79. ↑ "The Irish Horse Industry Report, January 2016" (PDF). Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine The Irish Horse Industry. January 2016. p. 8. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  80. 1 2 3 "Racing the Irish Way: A Guide to Racing in Ireland" (PDF). itm.ie. p. 18. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  81. ↑ "The Turf Club". www.turfclub.ie. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  82. ↑ O'Connor, Brian. "New Irish horse racing regulatory board to start in 2018". Irish Times.
  83. ↑ "Organisation". www.itba.info. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  84. 1 2 3 "Racing the Irish Way: A Guide to Racing in Ireland" (PDF). itm.ie. p. 20. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  85. ↑ "About us - Irish Racehorse Trainers Association | Irish Racehorse Trainers Association". irta.ie. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  86. ↑ "Association of Irish Racehorse Owners". www.irishracehorseowners.com. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  87. ↑ "About Us". irishjockeysassociation.com. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  88. ↑ "What We Do". irishjockeysassociation.com. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  89. ↑ "About The IJT". Irish Jockeys' Trust. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  90. ↑ "Irish Stablestaff Association - Employment Protection". www.issa.ie. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.