Laytown Races – Monday 16 September 2024.
Laytown Racecourse is a horse racing venue on the beach at Laytown, County Meath, Ireland. Laytown is unique in the Irish racing calendar as it is the only race event run on a beach under the Rules of Racing. The first recorded race meeting in Laytown was in 1868.
Laytown racecourse is an extremely unique track as it is Ireland's only horse racing event run on a beach under the Rules of Racing. Laytown Racecourse is a seven-furlong straight track that is on a tidal beach. Racing takes place on just one day in September each year, with the races all run over either six or seven furlongs. Until the 2015 meeting, races commenced via a flag start, but stalls have now been introduced.
People travel far and wide to witness the spectacle of horse racing on the beach in Ireland, with crowds in excess of 5,000 in attendance every year. As the tide recedes in the morning of race day, the race course is quickly set up allowing for six races of between six furlongs and one mile. The majority of racegoers watch the action from an elevated field above the strand which is set up for the day with temporary marquees which act as the weigh room, the jockeys’ room, bars and restaurants. Access to the beach is restricted while racing is underway.
Some of our Members attended this years Race Event which was held on Monday 16 September.
Those who attended were Aoife, Barbara, Brendan, Brian, Dominic, Eddie, Ted, Pat Kehoe, Joe Joyce, Paul Keegan (and daughter).
Some images are attached with more to follow.
