Racegoers make merry on first day of Leopardstown festival

Some 16,954 punters attended the primary day of the Leopardstown Christmas Pageant on Tuesday.

Jessie O’Neill (21) from South Dublin was there with three of her pals, and although she “hadn’t actually gained something”, she stated with fun, it was “good to dress up and have a day trip over the Christmas interval”.

“It’s rather more concerning the day trip and the ambiance. Everybody’s simply having a little bit of enjoyable, ingesting pints and having the chats between the races,” she stated.

The temperature was forecast to be 6 levels, however robust winds made it really feel a lot colder. Outside, some punters have been watching the races, queuing at sizzling meals stands and smoking cigarettes, however the indoor bars on website have been bustling with crowds who had opted to remain heat and watch from the screens as a substitute.

A bunch of three pals, all aged 18, have been attending for the primary time this yr, every wearing fits and ties. Ciaran O’Donoghue stated the day was “nice craic”, with loads of of dwell leisure, and though the climate was chilly, the group have been “blissful out” as that they had anticipated it to rain on their outfits.

The primary race of the day, the TRI Equestrian Maiden Hurdle, noticed the Edward O’Grady-trained No Flies On Him make a debut on the monitor following success at Knockanard point-to-point. Coach Gordon Elliott took house wins in each of Tuesday’s huge races, the Mercedes-Benz South Dublin Juvenile Hurdle and the Racing Put up Novice Chase.

As much as 60,000 race followers are anticipated at Leopardstown over the approaching days. The pageant runs till December twenty ninth.

Leopardstown this yr hosted the ultimate renewal of its conventional St Stephen’s Day function race, the Grade 1 Racing Put up Novice Chase.

Horse Racing Eire, the semi-State ruling physique that owns Leopardstown, is finalising plans to cut back the variety of Grade 1 jumps races subsequent season in an effort to enhance competitors for essentially the most prestigious prizes in its calendar.

Reasonably than demote the race to a decrease standing, Leopardstown Racecourse’s chief government Tim Husbands stated final week that it has been scrapped totally.

He additionally indicated efforts will likely be made within the new yr to look at switching one of many six different Grade 1 races throughout Leopardstown’s Christmas pageant to St Stephen’s Day in 2024.

Mr Husbands stated St Stephen’s Day was a “nice begin to the Christmas Pageant with a very huge crowd having fun with some actually high-quality racing”.

This yr, Leopardstown partnered with Alone, the nationwide charity offering providers to older individuals in want, with a lot of “faucet to donate” places all through the enclosure and QR codes within the race playing cards.

The motion continues on Wednesday with Paddy Energy Day that includes two Grade 1 races on the cardboard, the Paddy Energy Rewards Membership Chase and the Paddy Energy Future Champions Novice Hurdle.

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