Kilbeggan gets ready to kick off new horse racing season

This time of the year sees the end of all the major race meetings from Cheltenham to Punchestown. However, every ending has a new beginning and people can now look forward to a summer of great racing at Kilbeggan, with top national hunt jockeys like Ruby Walshe, Davie Russell, Paul Townend competing over hurdles and fences. The first meeting commences next Friday, May 4 at 5.20pm. Managing a racecourse during a recession is never an easy task but Kilbeggan Manager Paddy Dunican has always being a man who looks forward and is positive about the future. "It is an exciting time and busy time of year for all of us at Kilbeggan Racecourse with the first of our eight fixtures starting on Friday 4th May. We have carried out additional improvement on the racetrack over the winter, which will provide a better racing surface for our horses and jockeys," said Paddy. "We look forward to our new season of racing with some of the highlights this year been our family day on Sunday 3rd June, Gigginstown House Midland National and Ladies Day on Friday 20th July and also Ladies Day on Saturday 11th August". Three sponsored races Just around 40 years ago a young horse Tartan Ace finished unplaced in a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan and, within two years, he won the Irish Grand National for the great breeder Tom Costello at 6 years old. Maybe there might be a horse like that lurking in the field next Friday, which has some competitive races. T he 3 mile hurdle is being generously sponsored by The Greville Arms Hotel, and the Mullingar Park Hotel are sponsoring the Sean Hughes Memorial Handicap Chase over 3 miles 1 furlong. In addition the European Breeders Fund is sponsoring the novice chase over 2 ½ miles. As it is a Bank Holiday meeting it should be a great way to start the weekend with fun for all ages and a chance for families to get together for the first traditional fixture of the year. Race meetings at Kilbeggan have always been one of the main social occasion in the midlands, and the first race on Friday is at 5.20pm so arrive early to avoid the traffic.