Ministers Charlie McConalogue and Thomas Byrne visit Bellewstown Racecourse to inspect recent improvements
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue and Minister for State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Thomas Byrne, visited the home of Bellewstown Races, the hill of Crockfatha on Tuesday.
During their visit the pair were given a tour of the historic track allowing them to see at first hand some of the improvements to facilities made in recent years including the addition of a permanent stable yard complex.
They also heard about the ambitious plans Bellewstown have in place for future investment to allow it to continue to be at the forefront of delivering a great racing experience for patrons ahead of the track celebrating it’s 300-year anniversary in 2026.
The visit coincided with the launch of Bellewstown’s summer festival which sees racing return to Bellewstown from Thursday 6th July – Saturday 8th July for their annual Summer Festival promising three action-packed evenings of racing.
Minister McConalogue said he was impressed by the ongoing developments at the track and to hear about Bellewstown’s important role in not only facilitating top class racing but also the contribution it makes to the local community including offering significant rural employment during and on the run up to race meetings. He wished the committee well with its future endeavours including the hosting of its forthcoming July summer festival.
Minister for State Thomas Byrne stated that he was delighted to visit his local racecourse in Bellewstown adding that he was looking forward to the summer meeting in July and being back on the hill for a spectacular festival of racing and good fun.
Racing in July gets underway on the Hill of Crockafotha on Thursday evening 6th July with a competitive Flat card, featuring the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Fillies Maiden of €25,000 and the €16,000 Indaver Ireland Handicap over five furlongs. Bellewstown is also delighted to welcome back their longest sponsor, Seamus Mulvaney bookmakers to sponsor the Seamus Mulvaney Crocoafotha (Q.R.) race.
Racing and fashion go hand in hand on Friday evening. While the jockeys take up their reins on the track for the second day, the ‘Tankardstown House’ most stylish competition takes centre stage in the enclosure. The winner will receive a two-night VIP stay at Tankardstown House to the value of €2,400 with fantastic runner up prizes from ‘Boyne House Slane’ and the ‘Coach House’.
The final day of the Summer Festival features an all-jumps card sponsored by Bar One Racing. The evening fixture features the €45,000 Bar One Racing ‘Bellewstown’ Handicap Hurdle. Bar One Racing will pay a €25,000 bonus if the winning horse goes on to win the Guinness Galway Hurdle at the forthcoming Galway Festival.
Bellewstown Chairman, Jack Gogarty stated that he would like to thank Minister Charlie McConalogue and Minister Thomas Byrne for visiting Bellewstown Racecourse that coincided with the launch of our 2023 summer festival where advance ticket sales have been very strong across all categories with our festival hospitality marquee nearly sold out. We are really looking forward to welcoming back our many loyal supporters for what we hope to be three thrilling days racing on the Hill.
For more information and to buy tickets, please visit www.bellewstownraces.ie
