Very classy entries for the Grade 1 JNWine.com Champion Chase Saturday 31st October – the first Grade 1 contest of the 2015/16 National Hunt Season.

Twenty one horses have been entered for what looks like a mouth-watering renewal of the Grade 1 JNWine.com Champion Chase.

There are eight entries from Great Britain including the 2015 Grand National Winner, Many Clouds, who is trained by Oliver Sherwood.

Paul Nicholls has a tremendous record in this race and he will bid for his fifth victory in the year’s renewal and he has pencilled in last year’s runner up Rocky Creek, along with multiple Grade 1 winner Silviniaco Conti as well as Saphir Du Rheu, successful in last season Grade 1 Mildmay Novice’s Steeplechase at Aintree.

Welsh based Rebecca Curtis could be represented by the 2014 RSA Chase winner O’Faolains Boy, as well as the smart Irish Cavalier.

Down Royal native Neil Mulholland, who now trains in Conkwell Grange just outside Bath, could have first runner in the race, courtesy of the much improved The Young Master, while the David Pipe trained Dynaste completes the cross channel team.

Noel Meade has indicated that last year’s winner Road to Riches will return to defend his crown and he has also entered the locally owned pair Apache Stronghold and Texas Jack as well as Wounded Warrior.

Don Cossack, who won last season’s Grade 2 Powers Irish Whiskey Steeplechase, went on to develop into the best chaser in the British Isles and the eight year old heads a strong contingent for Gordon Elliott, who has also entered the 2013 JNWine.com Champion Chase winner Roi Du Mee along with Clarcam and Bright New Dawn.

Gigginstown House Stud could also be represented by the Mouse Morris trained, Rule The World.

Willie Mullins aims for his first JNWine.com success with Alelchi Inois and Urano, while Henry De Bromhead, who went close to winning this race on three occasions with the brilliant Sizing Europe, could run the improving Grand Jesture, while Robbie Hennessy has entered Rubi Light.

Gates open from 11am on Saturday 31st October with the first race starting at 12:35pm (approx.).

Admission is £15, children under 16 get free admission and there is free car parking for everyone attending. Hospitality packages start from £70 per person. Book now at www.downroyal.com

T.G.I. Friday ‘Jockey’ Meagan Green (pictured right), Mike Todd, General Manager of Down Royal Racecourse, and Eimhear Daly, Magners Brand Manager for Tennent’s NI, look forward to a Friday evening feast of racing at the Magners July Race Evening on 24 July.

The height of Summer marks the height of excitement at Down Royal on Friday 24 July when the Magners Race Evening celebrates the Sport of Kings in seasonal style.

Down Royal will take advantage of July’s extended daylight to run one of the year’s most exciting major flat race meetings. From approximately 5.50pm through to 8.45pm the competition on-track will be hot, while the atmosphere off track is relaxed and easy in keeping with the balmy weather.

Looking forward to the refreshing treat of a summer evening race at Down Royal, Eimhear Daly, Magners Brand Manager at Tennent’s NI, says; “Magners, of course, goes hand in hand with any social and sporting occasion and a night at the races blends the two perfectly.  The Magners Race Evening always has a special air of seasonal excitement to it and a glass or two of perfectly chilled Magners over ice will help race-goers with a little extra sparkle!”

“Summer is the perfect showcase for the crisp, refreshing flavour and natural character of Magners and with Original, Light, Pear, Berry and the new Magners Forbidden Flavours of Strawberry & Lime and Cloudy Lemon to choose from, there’s a Magners variant for every palette: a sure thing, as we say in racing circles!

“With the evening’s racing perfectly timed to pop along after a hard day in the office it is a great excuse for a night out, but remember to book your ticket as we expect it to be busy!  As we say at Magners, it’s not a moment too soon!”

Mike Todd, General Manager at Down Royal Racecourse, says, “We have been delighted to have seen our summer evening meetings at Down Royal grow hugely in popularity in recent years.  Our annual Magners Race Evening provides fans – and racing ‘newbees’ – with a great opportunity to kick back and relax after a tough week at work in true Thank Goodness It’s Friday spirit!  We have some fantastic racing lined up for them to enjoy so the forecast for this Summer highlight is looking great!”

Volunteers from PIPS, the nominated charity of employees at Tennent’s NI, will be collecting on the evening.  The charity delivers suicide prevention and bereavement support services, counselling and therapies throughout Northern Ireland.

Entrance to the Magners July Race Evening costs £10 per person or £23 for a punter’s pack. Hospitality packages also on offer. For further details or to book, visitwww.downroyal.com.

Rebekah Shirley will be living Òla dolce vitaÓ at Down Royal on the 19th and 20th of June this year June with Lexus Belfast, part of the Charles Hurst Group and sponsor of this yearÕs Best Dressed Lady competition on day two of the Summer Festival of Racing (20th June). The lucky winner will be jetting off for an amazing three night five-star break in Rome, the fashion capital of Italy including £500 spending money. Rebekah is pictured with Mike Todd, Down Royal General Manager and Jonathon Lavery Sales manager at Lexus Belfast

Roman holiday up for grabs the Down Royal and Lexus Belfast best dressed Lady

Fashionistas and racing fans alike will be under starter’s orders for this year’s two-day Summer Festival of Racing at Down Roya lon the 19^th and 20^th of June, as it’s confirmed that Lexus Belfast, part of the Charles Hurst group, will sponsor the Best Dressed Lady Competition on Magners Derby Day (Saturday 20^th June). To celebrate this new racing partnership, the Lexus Belfast Best Dressed Lady, will win an amazing three night five star break in Rome, the fashion capital of Italy; including £500 spending money, walking tour and a Rome by night coach tour.

This announcement comes as Down Royal celebrates 330 years of racing heritage, with the venue undergoing a multimillion pound refurbishment programme including an upgrade of the public bar and food outlets in the main grandstand. The project, which was completed late last year, reinforces Down Royal’s commitment to providing world-class facilities to racegoers from across Ireland.

The sport of kings champions the queens of fashion and the Lexus Belfast best dressed lady competition provides the perfect opportunity for guests to celebrate their individual style and enjoy top quality racing in a bespoke Festival setting.

Jonathan Lavery, Sales Manager of Lexus Belfast, said:

“We are delighted to be part of the Best Dressed Lady competition, following Charles Hurst Premium’s successful partnership with Down Royal at the Summer Race Evening in September.

“With two such stylish brands, it will be one of the most chic events this year and we look forward to seeing the style on display at the event.”

Mike Todd, General Manager at Down Royal, says the two-day festival is the highlight of a fantastic social summer racing calendar, which runs through to September.

“We look forward to this event every year, marking as it does the highlight of Summer Racing at Down Royal, and we’re proud to be associated with Lexus Belfast for the best dressed ladies competition at our Summer Festival of Racing.

“This is one of the highlights of the racing calendar, and following our recent multimillion pound investment in facilities here we guarantee a fantastic day out for everyone attending Down Royal.  With the refurbishment of the public bar including the addition of Silks @downroyal, offering artisan food from award winning local meat supplier, Peter Hannan, the great day out that our many thousands of guests have at Down Royal just got even better!”

The Best Dressed Lady competition will be judged by Jonathan Lavery from Lexus Belfast, and he’ll be joined by Eve Brannon, Fashion Editor at the iconic IN! Magazine and one of Northern Ireland’s most stylish men, NI Gossip Guy Neil Cole. For more information on this year’s Down Royal Summer Festival of Racing on 19^th and 20^th of June, and details on how to enter The Best dressed Lady competition, visit www.downroyal.com.

3.45pm                       Turnstiles Open.          

4.30pm                       Hospitality Suite Opens.

5.30pm approx          Racing Tips from Celebrity Tipster Pamela Ballantine.

5.30pm – 7.30pm      Redeem your food voucher 

*Additional food options / Side Orders / Desserts also available to purchase.

5.45pm                       First Race.

8.55pm                       Last Race. 

9.30pm –11.30pm     Live Music after Racing with ‘The Chancers’

Celebrating all gentlemen out there with a flair for fashion – Ladies welcome too!

Down Royal and Barclay Communications are excited to launch another first in Irish racing – the Barclay Communications’ Gentlemen’s Race Evening at Down Royal on Friday 29^th May. A thrilling all National Hunt card of racing is accompanied by a host of quality entertainment throughout the evening.

For those gentlemen out there with a flair for fashion, make sure you dress to impress to catch the eyes of the judges for the Best Dressed Gentleman to be in with a chance to win a bespoke tailoring experience and suit with The Boardroom. Our celebrity guest, Mr Bang Tidy will also be judging the Most Dapperly Dressed Gentleman on the evening.

All gentleman racegoers can pop into the Jason Shankey Male Grooming marquee for a complimentary treatment during racing and enter the array of facial hair competitions including best facial hair, best beard, best sideburns and many more. With a fantastic array of prizes on offer such as Jason Shankey male grooming vouchers, beard oils and “Perfect Shave” Kits – this is a stand not to be missed!

The ever popular Punters Pack is available at £18 including entrance to the Racecourse, Racecard, Pint of Magners, Pulled Pork Sandwich, £5 MATCHED Bet with Sean Graham or Pat O’Hare Bookmakers.

Down Royal in conjunction with Shortcross Gin, are excited to launch the 1685 Club based in the Rainbow Communications Suite at Down Royal Course. This package includes admission to the racecourse, Shortcross Gin cocktail reception, Admission to the Rainbow Communications Suite, £5 matched bet with Sean Graham and live music before and after racing. It is £23 for a daily membership of the 1685 Club.

Barclay Communications’ will also be collecting at the turnstiles for the Jonjo Bright Trust, which supports local jockey Jonjo Bright who was injured in a life changing fall in 2013, a cause the local business mobile, landline, IT, web and app design company has already raised nearly £32,000 for.

All racegoers are encouraged to get into the spirit of fun and facial hair for this unique Gentleman’s Race Evening, celebrating the start of the Friday Night Summer Race Meetings at Down Royal.

The first race of the seven strong racecard starts at 5:30pm (approx.), gates open at 3pm, entrance tickets are £10 per person, concession admission is £8 and children under 16 go free.

To book or for further information please visit www.downroyal.com or contact the office on 028 92621256

Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 25th April 2015 -
RANDOX KILLULTAGH POINT-TO-POINT.

The annual Randox Point-to-Point at Crumlin, once again attracted bumper crowds who turned out for the two day point-to-point steeplechases. Situated on what is widely regarded as the premier point-to-point track on the island of Ireland, the weekend’s event (24^th and 25^th April) did not disappoint with multiple All Ireland Champion Derek O’Connor registering a double on Saturday partnering Ballycross to victory for Templepatrick trainer Colin McKeever and leading local owner Wilson Dennison followed by Chosen Dream at the fifth. O’Connor also recorded a brace of winners during Friday evening’s session having scored with Sister Saragh at the first and Frost at the fifth.

Our gates will open at 12pm ahead of the first race kicking off at 2.25pm (approx.) right through to the seventh and final race at 5.40pm (approx.). General admission is £12 for adults, £10 concession and children under 16 go free. Entrance tickets will be available at the turnstiles or can be booked online at www.downroyal.com.

The Rainbow Communications Punters Pack is available for only £22 and includes; entrance to the racecourse, admission to the Rainbow Communications Suite,  racecard to check the runners and riders, pulled pork roll and pint of Clonmel 1650. All Punters  Packs must be purchased in advance of 4^th May 2015.

Why not make the most of the day and upgrade to our Taste @downroyal package in our newly refurbished Moscow Flyer Suite? The Taste menu is designed to showcase the best in local Northern Ireland produce cooked in a simple and delicate way. The exclusive Taste @downroyal package costs £49.50 per person and includes; entrance to the racecourse, racecard to check the runners and riders, premium located suite and a sumptuous taster menu showcasing  the best of Northern Irish produce including dessert and artisan cheeses. To book this contemporary hospitality option visitwww.downroyal.com

For further information please visit www.downroyal.com or contact the racecourse office on 028 92621 256.

The Randox Point-to-Point will take place on Friday 24^th and Saturday 25^th of April, at Largy Road in Crumlin, on what many have described as the premier Point-to-Point track on the island of Ireland!

Point-to-Points are now firmly established in national hunt racing, with several champion horses starting their careers on the Irish Point-to-Point circuit, including several Grand National Winners, last year’s Randox Point-to-Point was no exception; Classic Place, winner of the Dennison’s Commercials 4 year old geldings maiden, was sold to Gigginstown House Stud (owned by Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary) and is now trained by Ireland’s top National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins.

Duke Arcadio won the Stonebridge Premium Feeds 5 year old confirmed maiden and is now trained by Donald McCain in England, Duke Arcadio then went on to win at Ayr at his next outing.

Pumped Up kicks won the Delta Packaging Mares winner of three, she is now owned and trained by Dan Skelton in England and has won two further races at Perth.

Randox Managing Director, Dr Peter FitzGerald said:

“We are pleased to once again host the Point-to-Point where champions are made.  As an award winning diagnostics company, we succeed because we are ahead of the curve and so we support events which encourage entrepreneurship, team work and healthy competition! We look forward to this year’s two day meeting where we might spot the next Cheltenham Gold Cup or Aintree Grand National winner.”

This popular event isn’t just for racing enthusiasts, everyone is welcome to enjoy the food stands, craft stalls and family festivities.  General admission is £5 per person, with free entry for children under the age of 16.  The first race on Friday 24^th of April will start at 4pm; on Saturday 25^th of April, the first race takes place at 2pm.

Limited Edition St Patrick’s Day Punter’s Packs – £23

In association with Magners, Hamilton and Kirk, Sean Graham and Pat O’Hare Bookmakers, Down Royal Racecourse will be offering a Punter’s Pack including admission to the Beef or Salmon Suite, for our St Patrick’s Day Race Meeting. The pack will include;

• ·         Entrance to the racecourse
• ·         A Racecard
• ·         A pint of Magners
• ·         A pulled pork roll
• ·         £5 matched bet with Sean Graham or Pat O’Hare
• ·         Admission to the Beef or Salmon Suite

Punter’s Packs are limited therefore we advise you book early to avoid disappointment, and all Punter’s Packs MUST be purchased in advance of 17^th March 2015.

Hospitality options are available at this race meeting from £49.50, for full details of the packages and  to book please go to www.downroyal.com or call the Racecourse office on 028 92621256 or email info@downroyal.com

Trainers are reminded that entries already made must be repeated.

The time of the first race will be 1.30pm.

Brian Hamilton was previously a well-known and successful amateur rider, riding for many top trainers including Paddy Mullins, Martin Pipe and Aiden O’Brien. As a trainer, Hamilton has excelled with much success both on the track and at point-to-points and last season, he trained eight winners from just 39 runners. His handling of Warne since he arrived in his yard has been exceptional, guiding his gelding to victory in the Foxhunters Chase at Aintree in April.

Jockey James Smyth realised his dream this year when steering Tammys Hill to victory in the Cheltenham Foxhunters Chase. This was a wonderful family story as Tammys Hill was bred by his father Patsy and owned by his uncle Seamus. Furthermore James was a significant part of this horses training programme with trainer Liam Lennon.

Tammys Hill won ten of his fifteen point-to-points and was second three times. On the track he has also won eight more races. At Cheltenham, James got everything right and once jumping to the front at the top of the hill he led home a famous one-two for Northern Ireland-trained runners with Carsonstown Boy second for Colin McBratney.

Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of HRI said: “The HRI Awards will give us the chance to celebrate and acknowledge the extremely high standards across all sectors of Irish racing. Each of the nominees announced today deserve to be recognised for their achievements throughout the year and all categories are very competitive.”

Once again, members of the public will again have an opportunity to vote on the ‘Outstanding Achievement’ category, through the HRI Awards app, which will be available for download from iTunes and Google Play next week. Forms will be available at Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) reception for those without a smart phone.

The Awards App contains information about the awards and each of the nominees, an image gallery, all the latest news and will also allow members of the public to watch the awards live.

Anna Henry, Matt Chapman, Mike Todd, Noel Meade, Mick Fitzgerald and Miss NI Rebekah Shirley
Photographer Matt Mackey Press Eye.

Biggest names in British racing behind record level of entries

Ireland’s leading trainers and many of the top horses in the national hunt world will take part in this year’s Festival of Racing at Down Royal Racecourse, taking place on the 31st October and 1st November. The world-class line-up was confirmed at the Festival launch in Belfast today, with the biggest prize fund of any race meeting in Northern Ireland also revealed as well as the biggest ever number of entries for Northern Ireland’s richest Chase.

At the launch, which was attended by leading racing figures Matt Chapman (At The Races), Mick Fitzgerald (Channel 4 Racing) and top trainer Noel Meade, it was revealed that the pot over the two days is a massive €430,000. This includes the WKD Hurdle on the Friday worth €50,000, which was won last year by legendary local jockey AP MCCoy on Jezki who went on to win the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
The JN Wine grade 1 Chase on the Saturday, Northern Ireland’s richest chase with a whopping €140,000 for the winner, has a record number of entries this year with 21 horses including last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Bob’s Worth, and On His Own who came second in the same race in March this year.

Leading National Hunt trainer Paul Nicholls will have four entries to the grade 1 chase alone. Paul, who has trained over 2000 winners to date, won the 2012 Grand National, four Cheltenham Gold Cups and has been crowned British jump racing Champion Trainer eight times.

The Festival comes as a major, multi-million pound investment programme at Down Royal Racecourse reaches completion, with a brand new social space due to be unveiled ahead of the Festival.

Down Royal Manager Mike Todd says race-goers will enjoy an unrivalled National Hunt experience.

“This will be an adrenalin fuelled two days of racing, with an incredibly high standard of entry. The festival always attracts a wealth of talent which, in the past has included the legendary AP McCoy who won the Grade 2 Hurdle for the second time last year.

“Once again, this is the highlight of the Northern Ireland Racing calendar providing an unrivalled experience for racing fans here. With some of the biggest names in Irish and International horse-racing, we are looking forward to another incredible event at Down Royal.”

Complementing the packed racing card is the Best Dressed Competition on Saturday 1st November, sponsored this year by international design supremo Kris Turnbull who will also judge the event alongside In! Magazine’s Hayley Harrison, and NI Gossip Guy Neil Cole. This year’s winner will jet off to Monaco on a four-star holiday of a lifetime. The dream trip includes return flights, three nights 4-star accommodation in the Fairmount Monte Carlo, breakfast, return helicopter transfers and dinner on one night at the exclusive Fairmount hotel.

The Festival of Racing takes place on Friday 31st October and Saturday 1st November. Gates open at 11am on both days; with the first races starting at around 1pm. Admission is £12 on Friday and £15 on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased online, from the racecourse office, or at the turnstiles on the day.

Visit www.downroyal.com for more details or to book tickets. More information is also available on social media sites www.facebook.com/down-royal-racecourse or on @twitter.com/downroyal.

ENDS

For more information contact:

Ali Fleming ali@lkcommunications.co.uk 07738789817/ 02890427004

Jo Huddleston jo@lkcommunications.co.uk 07595068763/ 02890427004

NOTES TO EDITORS

Mick Fitzgerald At the Races and Channel 4 Racing presenter Mick Fitzgerald is a former jockey who rode his first two winners in 1988, later winning the Grand National on Rough Quest in 1996. He is a two-time winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1996 and 1999 (See More Business). Since his retirement in 2008, he’s been sharing his encyclopedic knowledge of the sport with TV viewers across the country.

Matt Chapman Matt spent eight years as a journalist on the Racing Post and four years with the Racing Channel before joining the At The Races team. He became fascinated by foreign racing after two and a half years at the International Racing Bureau, in Newmarket, and has also been PR director for the Tote and agent to top Flat rider Darryll Holland.

Noel Meade

Noel started training in 1970 with one horse Tu Va – 30 years on he passed the 2000 winner mark in 2008 and is well on his way to 3000. His first major breakthrough came In 1978 when Sweet Mint won the Cork & Orrery Stakes(Golden Jubilee) at Royal Ascot, and he was crowned champion trainer in the 1999/2000 season. He is now the proud holder of 7 champion trainer awards and 9 leading trainers’ awards for the most winners.