What does Easter hold in store?
Why not go racing to Fairyhouse Racecourse for their Easter Grand National fixture? Filled with
glamour, festivities, music, entertainment and top-class National Hunt Racing, and with over €1.25 million in prizemoney up for grabs, there are plenty of reasons to attend.
The opening day on Saturday, April 8th plays host to the Ladies Chase, a highly sought-after race for female riders, most recently won in 2022 by Foxwatch for jockey Jody Townend and trainer Tony Mullins.
Family fun day on Easter Sunday promises a thrilling combination of top-class jump racing, featuring double Grade 1 action, and a host of free entertainment and activities for children of all ages, including face painters, balloon modelling and bubble fun. The weekend at Fairyhouse promises to be a fun day out for all the family; don’t forget kids go free when accompanied by an adult.
In 2022, the Grade 1 BoyleSports Gold Cup Novice Chase was won by the very exciting Galopin Des Champs, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend. At the meeting it was double
Grade 1 glory for Mullins and Townend, as the pair also claimed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle with Brandy Love.
Easter Monday features the BoyleSports Irish Grand National, the richest chase in the Irish calendar and one of the most anticipated dates of the Irish season. The race is a truly iconic event, and over the years the roll of honour includes many legendary racehorses such as the 1964 winner Arkle, Brown Lad, Desert Orchid, Bobbyjo, Commanche Court and Organisedonfusion, trained by Arthur Moore and ridden by his niece, Nina Carberry.
The flagship race of the three-day Easter Festival has been sponsored by BoyleSports, Ireland’s largest independent bookmaker, since 2014. For more information, hospitality and tickets for the weekend visit fairyhouse.ie.
Cork
Heading down to the rebel county for the Easter long weekend? If so, Cork Racecourse is urging you to gather the crew for the ultimate ‘Social Saturday’. With thrilling flat action on the track and live music, begin your bank holiday weekend on the right note!
Easter Sunday, April 9th, is packed with entertainment, live music and thrilling National Hunt racing. Social packages are available online for €35, and include admission, a pint, racecard, a €5 food voucher and a €5 Tote bet! What’s not to love?
Set to be one of the busiest days of the year at Cork Racecourse, it is recommended to book your hospitality and social packages online and come racing early! There will be live music throughout the day in the marquee, with J90 due to perform live after the last.
Why not bring the family along on Easter Monday, where there will be plenty to keep the kids occupied and make it a great day out for all.
It’s well worth considering taking public transport to Mallow, and Cork Racecourse offers a free shuttle bus service from Mallow train station or Mallow town centre on racedays.
The team at Woodlands Catering will be there serving a delicious three-course meal for €60 per person (€65 on Easter Sunday) for those who wish to avail of hospitality packages. These include admission, racecard, full bar and tote service to your table. The private balcony overlooking the track will ensure you have the best view throughout the day. For tickets and packages visit corkracecourse.ie.
The Association of Irish Racecourses sends best wishes to both teams at Fairyhouse and Cork Racecourse ahead of their busy Easter Festivals.
By Leo Powell
