"& Annie Sweeney in association with Francis Hyland ; photographs by Caroline Norris ... [et al.]. Irish Grand National The Irish Grand National is a National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse over a distance of about 3 miles and 5 furlongs (5,834 metres), and during its running there are twenty-four fences to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year on Easter Monday. It is the Irish equivalent of the Grand National, and it is held during Fairyhouse's"
"Grand National (Irish greyhounds) The Grand National is a greyhound racing competition held annually at Curraheen Park in Cork, Ireland. The race was inaugurated in 1928 at Shelbourne Park and was shared between the two Dublin tracks of Shelbourne and Harold's Cross Stadium before being switched to the old Cork (Western Road) Grayhound Stadium just before World War II. Kilkenny Greyhound Stadium hosted the race in 1960 & 1961 until Thurles Greyhound Stadium took over from 1962-1984. The competition returned to Shelbourne in 1985 for another 15 years but once again the nomadic race switched to Harolds Cross and was"
"staged from 2001-2016 at the track. Following the closure of Harold's Cross the event was switched to Cork in 2017. It is the leading hurdle event in Ireland and is an integral part of the Irish greyhound racing calendar. Grand National (Irish greyhounds) The Grand National is a greyhound racing competition held annually at Curraheen Park in Cork, Ireland. The race was inaugurated in 1928 at Shelbourne Park and was shared between the two Dublin tracks of Shelbourne and Harold's Cross Stadium before being switched to the old Cork (Western Road) Grayhound Stadium just before World War II. Kilkenny Greyhound"
"performed here. The Irish Champion stakes is the most important race at the course and one of the World Series of Racing. It is held every September and attracts the cream of racing thoroughbreds. Racecourse A stop on the Luas Green Line is located at the southern end of the racecourse. However, as of January 2016 it remains unopened and devoid of all signage, with trams passing through non-stop. Leopardstown Racecourse Leopardstown Racecourse is an Irish horse-racing venue, located in Leopardstown, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, 8km south of the Dublin city centre. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National"
"Great Ireland Run The Great Ireland Run is an annual 10-kilometre road running competition which is held in Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland in mid-April. It is part of the Great Run series of athletics competitions and it also holds IAAF Bronze Label Road Race status. It is sponsored by SPAR and features both an elite race and a popular race. The 10 km race course begins at Chesterfield Avenue and loops around in a clock-wise circuit to finish on Furze Road. A 2.5 km fun run for 8–15-year-old runners is also featured on the programme of events. Over 11,000 people"
"Irish International Grand Prix The Irish Grand Prix also known Irish International Grand Prix was an open-wheel racing car motor race which was held three times on a 4.25 mile circuit laid out in the grounds of Phoenix Park in Dublin. The Grand Prix was actually two separate handicap races held under a single banner of the Irish International Grand Prix. Friday's race was for cars up to 1500 cc whose drivers competed for the Saorstát Cup, while on Saturday the drivers in the more powerful cars (over 1500 cc) raced for the Éireann Cup. The overall winner of the"
"include the Aintree Grand National winner Monty's Pass. Listowel Racecourse Listowel Racecourse is a horse racing venue in the town of Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland which stages both National Hunt and Flat racing. The course is flat and run left handed over an inner rectangular shaped circuit measuring just over a mile, and a triangular outer circuit of a mile and a furlong. There is a chute for the 7 furlong and 1 mile races. The current racecourse which is close to the town centre first opened in 1858 and celebrated its 150th Anniversary in 2008. Listowel's major race festival,"
"Roscommon Racecourse Roscommon Racecourse is a horse racing venue located in Roscommon, County Roscommon, Ireland, approximately 76 km north east of Galway and 136 km west of Dublin. The course holds both flat and jump racing. Racing unofficially commenced in 1837, with the first official contests occurring in 1885. Apart from a 12-year hiatus between 1936 and 1948 racing has continued ever since. The feature race of the year at Roscommon is the €40,000 2 mile Grade 3 Kilbegnet Novice Chase, run at the end of September. The course's most prestigious flat race is the Lenebane Stakes. There are seven"
"Leopardstown Racecourse Leopardstown Racecourse is an Irish horse-racing venue, located in Leopardstown, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, 8km south of the Dublin city centre. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing. The course, built by Captain George Quin and modelled on Sandown Park Racecourse in England, was completed in 1888 and acquired by the Horse Racing Board of Ireland in 1967. Many important races are held here and racing takes place all year round, with about 22 meetings per year. The ""Leopardstown Hall of Fame"" honours famous Irish horse racing trainers, jockeys and horses like, Vincent"
"Punchestown Racecourse Punchestown Racecourse is located in the parish of Eadestown, between the R410 and R411 regional roads near Naas, County Kildare, in Ireland. It is known as the home of Irish Jumps Racing and plays host to the annual Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival. The racecourse itself is right handed with an undulating hurdle and steeplechase track. The hurdle course is one mile six furlongs in distance while the chase course is 2 miles. Punchestown Racecourse also has the only cross country banks course in Ireland. As well as horse racing, Punchestown hosts several music events, including the annual"
"version in 1906. The feat has been achieved more recently by Rhyme 'n' Reason, Bobbyjo and Numbersixvalverde. The most successful horse in the event's history is Brown Lad, a three-time winner in the 1970s. Since 1991, the distance of the race has been 3 miles and 5 furlongs; previously it had been 3 miles and 4 furlongs. The Irish Grand National was sponsored by Irish Distillers under various titles for many years up to 2010. Ladbrokes sponsored the race from 2011 to 2013. In 2014, Boylesports took over as Irish Grand National sponsor and appointed the jockey Barry Geraghty as"
"2018 Grand National The 2018 Grand National (officially, the Randox Health 2018 Grand National) was the 171st annual running of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. The showpiece steeplechase was the pinnacle of a three-day festival which commenced on 12 April 2018. The event was sponsored by Randox Health for the second time. The race was won by shot Tiger Roll, ridden by Davy Russell, in a photo finish from Pleasant Company. All 38 runners returned to the stables, although Saint Are required veterinary attention on the course and Charlie Deutsch, riding Houblon Des Obeaux,"
"2017 Grand National The 2017 Grand National (officially known as the 2017 Randox Health Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 170th official running of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. The showpiece steeplechase over a distance of took place on 8 April 2017, the final day of a three-day meeting. A maximum field of 40 runners competed for a share of a prize fund of £1 million. Randox Health is the new sponsor of the main race and the festival itself for the next five years. It was broadcast live on television by ITV"
"Aintree Racecourse Aintree Racecourse is a racecourse in Aintree, Liverpool, England. The racecourse is best known for annually holding the world-famous Grand National steeplechase. The course is home of the Grand National steeplechase, one of the most famous races in the world. Steeplechasing at Aintree was introduced in 1836, though flat racing had taken place there for many years prior to this. It is regarded as the most difficult of all courses to complete successfully, with 16 steeplechase fences including renowned obstacles the Chair, Foinavon, Valentine's, Canal Turn and Becher's Brook. These are so infamous that even their names strike"
"Grand National The Grand National is a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England. First run in 1839, it is a handicap steeplechase over with horses jumping 30 fences over two laps. It is the most valuable jump race in Europe, with a prize fund of £1 million in 2017. An event that is prominent in British culture, the race is popular amongst many people who do not normally watch or bet on horse racing at other times of the year. The course over which the race is run features much larger fences than those"
"safely to the stables. 1947 Grand National The 1947 Grand National was the 101st renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 29 March 1947. The race was won by 100/1 Irish outsider Caughoo. The eight-year-old was ridden by 35-year-old jockey Eddie Dempsey and trained by Herbert McDowell, for owner John McDowell who had bought Caughoo for £50. The Irish Lough Conn finished in second place, Kami, from France, was third, and Prince Regent, also from Ireland, fourth. Fifty-seven horses ran — the largest field since 1929 when 66 participated"
"Irish Champion Stakes The Irish Champion Stakes (Irish: Curadh-Dhuais na hÉireann) is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September. The event was established in 1976, and it was initially held at Leopardstown as the Joe McGrath Memorial Stakes. It was named in memory of Joe McGrath (1887–1966), the founder of the Irish Hospitals' Sweepstake and a successful racehorse owner. The race was transferred to"
"(3 wins): Leading jockey since 1950 (6 wins): Leading trainer since 1950 (11 wins): Alflora finished first in 1993, but he was relegated to second place following a stewards' inquiry. International Stakes (Ireland) The International Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July. The event was originally held at Phoenix Park, and it was formerly known as the"
"1947 Grand National The 1947 Grand National was the 101st renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 29 March 1947. The race was won by 100/1 Irish outsider Caughoo. The eight-year-old was ridden by 35-year-old jockey Eddie Dempsey and trained by Herbert McDowell, for owner John McDowell who had bought Caughoo for £50. The Irish Lough Conn finished in second place, Kami, from France, was third, and Prince Regent, also from Ireland, fourth. Fifty-seven horses ran — the largest field since 1929 when 66 participated — and all returned"
"1989 Grand National The 1989 Grand National (officially known as the Seagram Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 143rd renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 8 April 1989. The race was won in a time of 10 minutes 6.9 seconds and by a distance of 7 lengths by Irish 12-year-old Little Polveir, ridden by jockey Jimmy Frost. West Tip was second and The Thinker finished third. Fourteen of the 40 runners completed the course. The winner had been sold by a four-way partnership six weeks before the race"
"2016 Grand National The 2016 Grand National (officially known as the 2016 Crabbie's Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 169th annual running of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. The showpiece steeplechase took place on 9 April 2016, the final day of a three-day meeting. A field of 39 runners competed for a share of a prize fund of £1 million. The 2016 National was won by shot Rule The World, ridden by David Mullins and trained by Mouse Morris. In second place was the joint-favourite The Last Samuri. Sixteen of the 39 runners"
"(NH and flat) meeting in Ireland; Punchestown Festival – the Irish equivalent of the Cheltenham Festival; The Tingle Creek at Sandown Park Racecourse; the Scottish Grand National at Ayr Racecourse; the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse; the Welsh National at Chepstow Racecourse; and the Irish National at Fairyhouse Racecourse. National Hunt racing originated in Ireland, particularly in the southern counties. Early races were mainly two-horse contests known as ""pounding races"" that became popular in the early 18th century. These involved long trips across country where horses were required to jump whatever obstacles the landscape threw in their"
"of 1.1 million on the previous year, and attracted a 59% share of the television audience. 2016 Grand National The 2016 Grand National (officially known as the 2016 Crabbie's Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 169th annual running of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. The showpiece steeplechase took place on 9 April 2016, the final day of a three-day meeting. A field of 39 runners competed for a share of a prize fund of £1 million. The 2016 National was won by shot Rule The World, ridden by David Mullins and trained by"
"2008 Grand National The 2008 Grand National (known as the John Smith's Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 161st official annual running of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 5 April 2008 and attracted the maximum permitted field of 40 runners, competing for total prize money of £450,640. Joint-favourite Comply or Die and Irish jockey Timmy Murphy won the race (it was Murphy's eleventh attempt at the National), four lengths ahead of King John's Castle in second place and Snowy Morning in third. Cloudy Lane, ridden by Jason Maguire, was"
"first time in his terrestrial television commentary career. 2017 Grand National The 2017 Grand National (officially known as the 2017 Randox Health Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 170th official running of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. The showpiece steeplechase over a distance of took place on 8 April 2017, the final day of a three-day meeting. A maximum field of 40 runners competed for a share of a prize fund of £1 million. Randox Health is the new sponsor of the main race and the festival itself for the next five years."
"are closed when the course is used for horse or motor racing. It was served by Aintree Racecourse railway station until the station closed in 1962; it is now served by Aintree railway station, which is situated outside the racecourse. Aintree Racecourse Aintree Racecourse is a racecourse in Aintree, Liverpool, England. The racecourse is best known for annually holding the world-famous Grand National steeplechase. The course is home of the Grand National steeplechase, one of the most famous races in the world. Steeplechasing at Aintree was introduced in 1836, though flat racing had taken place there for many years prior"
"crowds in excess of 100,000 annually attending both the Punchestown Festival in April, and the Galway Races in July. The majority of racecourses are turf, with Dundalk being the only floodlit all-weather polytrack. 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; however unaffiliated beach races are frequently held on beaches in some parts of the country. Horse Racing Ireland recognises the following racecourses: Ulster Munster Leinster Connacht Races have previously been held under the Rules"
"is run over a distance of more than 4 miles, there are up to 40 runners, the course at Aintree is essentially flat, and the horses are handicapped (the best horses carry the most weight). Perhaps the most fundamental difference is that the Grand National fences are far bigger than the fences at Cheltenham, and a number of fences incorporate significant drops. The most famous fence is Becher's Brook which is 5ft high, but has a 7ft drop on landing and is widely regarded as the biggest challenge on the course. Famous winners of the Grand National include Red Rum"
"race to be televised in high-definition in the UK. In August 2013 Crabbie's was announced as the new sponsor of the Grand National. The three-year deal between the alcoholic ginger beer producer and Aintree saw the race run for a record purse of £1 million in 2014. In March 2016 it was announced that Randox Health would take over from Crabbie's as official partners of the Grand National festival from 2017, for at least five years. The Grand National is run over the National Course at Aintree and consists of two laps of 16 fences, the first 14 of which"
"Curragh Racecourse The Curragh Racecourse, usually referred to as simply The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred racecourse. It is situated on the Curragh plain in County Kildare, between the towns of Newbridge and Kildare. The name ""Curragh"" comes from the Irish (Gaeilge) word ""Cuirreach"", meaning ""place of the running horse"". The first recorded race on the plain took place in 1727, but it was used for races before then. The first Derby was held in 1866, and in 1868 the Curragh was officially declared a horse racing and training facility by act of parliament. The course is right-handed, about"
"Greenpark Racecourse Greenpark Racecourse was a horse racing venue in Limerick, Ireland. In 1963 the venue used by Limerick mayor Frances Condell to host a reception for President John Fitzgerald Kennedy on his visit to Ireland. At the venue in 1979, Irish runner John Treacy won gold at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships and a stage of Pope John Paul II's visit to Ireland was held here. Due to flooding problems, increasing traffic congestion and a limited fixture list it was decided in the mid 1990s to find a new venue for horse racing in Limerick. A suitable location"
"Irish Derby The Irish Derby (Irish: Dearbaí na hÉireann) is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs (2,414 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July. It is Ireland's equivalent of the Epsom Derby, and it is currently held three weeks after the English race. The earliest version of the Irish Derby was an event called the O'Darby Stakes. This was established in 1817, but it was discontinued after"
"meetings) from the Thursday to the Sunday with both national hunt and flat races taking place. In all, the racecourse holds eleven meetings per year. coordinates = Tramore Racecourse Tramore Racecourse is a horse racing venue in Tramore, County Waterford, Ireland which stages both National Hunt and Flat racing. The course is a Grade Two racecourse and is noted for its right-handed track on a 1-mile circuit. Racing in Tramore originally took place on the beach in 1785 and was held there until 1911. Racing in the existing location has taken place since 1912. In 1997, a consortium bought the"