There is a point at which confidence expands and it seems as if darker days might never have happened. The sport of horse racing has announced its recovery from the recession of recent years with a major launch of the biggest racing event to take place in Ireland this coming September.
The Irish Champions Weekend will be a statement of intent around Ireland’s place in the world horse racing hierarchy and looks set to be a major success.
Last night a crowd of racing glitterati gathered in the less than familiar surroundings of Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud on Merrion Street to announce details of €3.75 million in prize money over two of the best day’s racing staged anywhere in Europe this year.
European Triple Crown
The ultimate plan is to develop this weekend into the first leg of a European triple Crown of Championship races across a range of ages and distances. The second and third legs will be the Prix du l’Arc de Triomphe meeting at Paris followed by Champions’ Weekend in England at Newmarket and Ascot in October.
The list of sponsors that have been attracted to support this highest end of international sport on our doorstep is impressive. From John Deere brought on board from the USA to Jaguar cars who had two models flanking the green carpeted entrance to last night’s launch, this is an A-list event.
The racing itself will take place at Leopardstown on Saturday, September 13th and the Curragh on Sunday, September 14th. Combination tickets from as little as €30 put it within reach of sports fans from inside and outside the racing cohort and there are plenty of side attractions to keep international visitors engaged.
Buzz of the Ring
On Saturday before racing there will be a public auction of 20 leading horses in the parade ring at Leopardstown. A similar event at Ascot last year, also run by Goffs Bloodstock Sales saw €1.3 million paid for the highest value horse and the buzz of the sales ring is something that will set pulses racing before the action get’s under way.
Entries for the top class racing already include Dual Derby Winner Australie as well as horse owned by celebrities including Michael Owen and HM Queen Elizabeth II.
There is a long term commitment from supporters to establish this as a real beacon on the international racing circuit, something which was identified as missing amid the globe trotting success of Irish horses, trainers and jockeys overseas and the idea has been brought from concept to reality in a little over 18 months.
Full credit is due to the European Breeders’ Fund, Horse Racing Ireland and the two racecourses for creating an event that will lift the idea of world class flat racing higher in the public consciousness.
Fashion and High Society
Last night’s guest list showed the balance that can be struck between fashion, high society and high class sport and it is a blend that can be a real winner for Ireland.
Rory McIlroy was in Ireland for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh last month. Given his surge to the top of the global sports most wanted list over the past four weeks a pre Ryder Cup appearance at Leopardstown would be another feather in the magnificent cap that racing has built from scratch.
