Kilbeggan Racecourse

Kilbeggan Racecourse has a circumference of approximately 1 mile and 1 furlong and features a right-handed layout with undulating terrain and sharp turns. Each circuit includes six fences on the chase course and the same number of hurdles on the inner hurdle track. The final 300 yards of the course is uphill, which can significantly impact race strategies.

Jockeys typically adopt a strategy that emphasizes maintaining a prominent position throughout the race, as hold-up runners have historically struggled to make up ground due to the constant turning and lack of space. The uphill run-in also requires horses to have stamina and a strong finish, as they must maintain their momentum after navigating the final obstacles.

The hurdle track at Kilbeggan is particularly challenging for hold-up runners, with statistics indicating a low win rate for this style of racing (around 3.57%). In contrast, front runners tend to perform better, but not as strongly as they do at some other tracks. Prominent runners generally have better success rates in handicap hurdle races, making it advantageous for jockeys to ride handily.

The first recorded race at Kilbeggan Racecourse took place on March 9, 1840. This initial event was organized by a group of local gentlemen and featured a Challenge Cup valued at 40 guineas, with an additional 10 pounds contributed by the Stewards.

Between 1840 and 1855, racing took place in various locations around Kilbeggan before it was revived in 1879 at Ballard, on land provided by the Locke family, who owned the local distillery.

The racing at Ballard continued until 1885, after which the races were moved to their current location in Loughnagore in 1901. Since then, Kilbeggan has hosted races annually, with the only interruptions occurring during World War II from 1941 to 1945.

The course faced financial difficulties in the 1950s and 60s when the Racing Board withdrew its financial support. However, significant changes in the early 1970s revitalized Kilbeggan’s fortunes; it transitioned to exclusively National Hunt racing in 1971, and the introduction of sponsored races began in 1973.

A major milestone occurred in 1990 when Kilbeggan opened a new complex that included improved facilities such as restaurants and bars, and it won the Racecourse of the Year Award that same year.

Subsequent improvements included surfacing of the concourse area, extending the enclosure, widening the racetrack, and opening a new pavilion at a cost of £1 million in 1999. These developments brought Kilbeggan’s facilities to a standard comparable to some of the best racecourses in Ireland.

Address: Loughanagore, Co. Westmeath, Ireland

Tel: +353 91 700 100

Email: racing@kilbegganraces.com

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