Midlands National set for Kilbeggan Races next Friday
Next Friday, July 11, Kilbeggan Racecourse hosts its biggest race meeting of the year, with the feature race, the Kilmurray’s Homevalue Hardware Midlands National, taking place on the day.
This listed steeplechase race, over 3 miles 1 furlong and sponsored by Dermot & Conor Kilmurray of Kilmurray’s Homevalue Hardware in Mullingar, is valued at a massive €100,000.
It is one of the most valuable and prestigious steeplechase races of the summer racing calendar.
This is the seventh running of this renowned event and sometimes can be a stepping stone to the Galway Plate. Last year’s winner was the locally owned Ida’s Boy for Gigginstown House Stud and trained by Noel Meade. Ida’s Boy fended off Amirite and Tullybeg in an exciting finish.
Interestingly, the 2020 winner Freewheelin Dylan went on to land the Irish Grand National at odds of 150/1 for trainer Dermot McLoughlin and jockey Ricky Doyle. The Midlands National always attracts the top trainers and horses, and this year’s renewal will be no different.
Also on the card is the Writech Handicap Hurdle with a value of €30,000 and it will be run over 2m 3f. Last year’s winner, The Wallpark went on to achieve great things and ran in the stayers’ hurdle in Cheltenham for Gordan Elliott and JP McManus.
Kilbeggan Distillery and BetXS sponsor the maiden hurdles, New Forest Estate & Golf Club and Frank Larrigy sponsor the handicap hurdles and Irish EBF sponsor the beginners’ steeplechase.
In addition, Kilbeggan Racecourse will welcome all the wonderful ladies who will show up on the day to take part in the Sustainable Style Ladies Competition, in the hopes of winning a prize worth €4,000 - including a €3,000 cash prize and s two-night stay and one evening meal in the beautiful Annebrook House Hotel in Mullingar.
The judges on the day are SJF Productions CEO and presenter Sarah Jane Foster along with digital creator and social media influencer Eileen Loughlin.
With bouncy castles, face painting, children’s games, stilt walking drummers and jugglers walking through the crowd, ice-cream, good food & drink, music in the Marquee provided by the brilliant Wrafter Family Band, DJ music outside The Pavilion Bar and, of course, excellent horse racing, it is going to be a jam-packed day at Kilbeggan Racecourse.
Gates open at 3pm, with first race at approximately 4.30pm. All are welcome. Buy your tickets with cash or card at the turnstiles on the day or visit https://kilbegganraces.com now to purchase your tickets online and receive a 10 per cent discount on adult general admission tickets.