Great year for Kilbeggan Races concludes on Friday

After a number of years soaked to the skin, Kilbeggan Races patrons enjoyed sunshine, heat, and above all a great time this summer.

Paddy Dunican, racecourse manager, says: “The attendance for the last three meetings in particular was well up on previous years and it brought back the old Kilbeggan atmosphere that people were taking for granted. Evenings of great racing, music, family entertainment, beautifully dressed ladies, and fancied favourites winning, all made it a season of joy and pleasure.”

The racing for this year concludes next Friday September 6, starting at the earlier time of 4.35pm.

The weather dictates so much of the good things in our life and this year it brought great success with record attendances, positive publicity, and a sense of achievement in difficult times for the industry. In terms of the racing, the star of the year was Double Seven, who won at three consecutive meetings including the Midlands National for trainer Martin Brassil and owner JP McManus.

Many useful horses raced in Kilbeggan this year and some to note for the future include novice chasers like Sizing Machine, Datokepe and Tom Horn; novice hurdlers like Alechi Inois, Sizing Sahara, and Dr Schultz for Willie Mullins, and Cailin Annamh plus bumper horses like Pink Hat and Devils Paintbrush.

In addition a few gambles took place from Save My Blushes in May to Ups and Downs at the last meeting. It has all added up to a fascinating summer of racing.

Friday’s meeting
The European Breeders Fund is sponsoring the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund mares hurdle; the Midland Breeders Supporting Kilbeggan Beginners Steeplechase is again being sponsored by the Midland Breeders Supporting Kilbeggan and the Kilbeggan Patrons Club is also sponsoring a race at the meeting.

The Greville Arms Leading Jockey Award has an unusual look about it with Mark Enright and Davy Condon joint leaders on four winners just ahead of Andrew Lynch and Mark Walsh on three winners. The Paddy Dunican Auctioneer and Valuer Leading Trainer Award has a more familiar look about it as Dessie Hughes and Noel Meade are joint leaders on six winners witth Willie Mullins just one behind. It should all add up to another thrilling day’s racing.

Make sure to arrive early to enjoy the occasion – the first race is at 4.35pm.