The Curragh Racecourse was delighted to welcome school children to the racecourse on Tuesday 13th May to take part in a special education day in association with HRI Racing Juniors, as the County Kildare track gears up for the start of their Classic race season, with the upcoming Tattersalls Irish Guineas Weekend, taking place from May 23rd to 25th.
Over 350 children from 6 local schools including Scoil Mhuire Newbridge, Gaelscoil Cill Dara, Scoil Bhride Lackagh, St Peter’s Monasterevin, Scoil Bhride Kilcullen and Scoil Mhuire Allenwood, got to go behind the scenes at the world-famous racecourse with the local Scoil Mhuire Newbridge incorporating their PE lesson for the day by walking to and from the racecourse!
Curragh based racehorse trainer Richard Brabazon, together with his horse, Harmony Blues, were on hand to greet the children. Richard explained what his job entails as a racehorse trainer as well as a typical day-to-day routine for his racehorses, their exercise schedule and diet, and how he prepares his racehorses to run in a race.
Master Farrier Donal Bennett was joined by students from the Farriery School in Kildare to give the children a shoeing demonstration, explaining the role of the farrier and the special skills and equipment required to treat racehorses’ hooves.
Riding Coach Niall Byrne from the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE), gave the children an opportunity to ride the racehorse simulator.
Members of the Curragh racecourse team brought the children on a tour of the racecourse and explained how the team prepare the track for a race meeting and all the equipment required to maintain the racing surface. Especially well received by the children was the insight into a jockey’s life delivered in the jockeys changing room by Mr Paul Keane, Sales & Hospitality Manager with the Curragh and a track walk with Mr Richard Brophy, Racecourse Track Manager who explained the care and attention that goes into maintaining the Curragh race tracks and training grounds.
Evan Arkwright, Racing and Sponsorship Manager at the Curragh Racecourse, commented:
“We were delighted to recently welcome children from a variety of local primary schools and hope they found their visit an informative behind the scenes experience. Our objective is to help create opportunities for young people to engage with the racecourse and learn more about the sport’s many and varied career pathways as well as building pride amongst children living close as to the lovely facilities on offer at the Curragh Racecourse and an awareness of how important the racecourse is to the horse racing industry in Ireland.”
Children were also asked to write a short story to describe their visit and enjoyed a complimentary goody bag courtesy of the Curragh and HRI.
The objective of the HRI Racing Juniors education days is to encourage an affinity with racehorses among the younger generation and demonstrate the variety of careers available in the racing and breeding industry in Ireland.
A selection of images can be found on our gallery page.