As racing returns to Bellewstown this week, here are FIVE THINGS you might not know about Bellewstown Races.
1.The racetrack is situated at the top of the Hill of Crockafotha in County Meath and has amazing views of the countryside from the Mourne Mountains to the north and the Dublin coastline and Irish Sea to the east and southeast.
2. The track itself is on common land and is one and a half mile long with both flat and hurdle races. There are no steeplechases over the big fences at the moment but that may change in the future.
3. The first recorded race at Bellewstown was in August 1726 – over 300 years ago. It featured in both the Dublin Gazette and Weekly Courier at the time.
4. The then former Mayor of Drogheda George Tandy persuaded King George 111 to sponsor the race which was called His Majesty’s Plate with 100 pounds to the winner.
5. The track is famous for the 19075 betting coup featuring legendary punter Barney Curley and his horse Yellow Sam. He won over 300,000 punts after tying up the only phone to the racetrack so the bookies did not know the horse, totally underestimated by the handicapper, had been backed all over the country and he got a big price.
