The Country of Ireland and its proud people have long since been linked with the traditional and exciting sport of horse racing. With internationally renown trainers, jockeys and horses the Irish are always among the favourites when it comes to winners. There are many Irish racing festivals held throughout the calendar year including; The Irish Derby, the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the Irish Champion Stakes.
With their smart tweed jackets, plaid trousers and trendy waistcoats worn over an Aran Sweater the Typical, male, Irish punter likes to stand out from the crowd. The ladies enjoy dressing up in their finest clothes accessorized with tall, feathered hats and long shiny black boots. The whole day is anticipated and thoroughly enjoyed by all who participate. Plates of tasty, hot food are washed down with long, cold pints of Guinness and glasses of the finest wines.
Having over twenty-five racecourses, more than three hundred and fifty race meetings and two thousand races held annually, you can see why Ireland is so popular with the horse racing fraternity. Situated all over the Irish countryside from Ulster to Connacht, Leinster and Munster there is plenty of choice for the one point three million people who visit Ireland to watch the racing every year. Most of the courses are laid to turf but there are a few exceptions, a beach course in Laytown and the only all-weather Polytrack in Dundalk.
