The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Going set to be ‘good to great’ at this year’s Dingle Races
TRALEE has the Rose, Killorglin has Puck, but for Dingle it has always been about the races and few events in the calendar year can match it for tradition and entertainment.
In many ways Dingle Races no longer belongs to the natives, as its story has spread far and wide to such an extent that it now belongs, in a small way, to all those who make the yearly pilgrimage to Ballintaggart. This year’s action take place on August 5, 6 and 7 with the usual fanfare and horsey excitement taking place over three magical days by the sea. Racegoers will again be able to park the car in Dingle and take a shuttle bus to and from the track which helps avoid those post-race traffic headaches!
“It’s about a lot more than just the races; just as there’s more to Puck than a goat and more to The Rose of Tralee than roses: these are traditional events in their respective communities. There is so much extra involved with Dingle Races as people stay in the town and create a great atmosphere and accommodation is usually booked out for the weekend,” said Colm Sayers, Secretary of Dingle Races Committee.
The entire event is very much the ‘Cheltenham of the West’ with over 160 horses from all over Ireland taking part for prize money as high as €6,000. It’s by far the biggest and most exciting horse-and-pony meet in Ireland and it’s worth reminding people that the success of jockeys like Paul Townend and Jack Kennedy first saw that light of day during the horse and pony meets in Ballintaggart where they applied their skills and dreamed of future days in places like Punchestown, Leopardstown and famous tracks across the Irish Sea.
The height of fashion will also feature over the three days as the ladies (and gents) like to get the glad rags and hats ready for what is arguably the most tranquil and relaxing race meeting of them all. Each of the three days is centered round a feature race and Friday sees the Derby Trial Stake take place; the Golden Mile on Saturday, and Sunday’s showpiece is the Dingle Derby.
“The crowds and interest is still there and for generations the same families are returning to Dingle for the races from places as far away as Donegal and all over the country. We even have people from Wales who come each year and people have forged great links with the people of Dingle and even the horses are stabled up by the local farmers.”
Colm continued: “People accept now that they can’t trust the Irish weather so they just throw on a raincoat and get on with it which is hugely encouraging as you’d get nothing done otherwise. There’s a great team involved in organising the races, including our loyal sponsors who are very important, and it never seems to stop throughout the year as the committee meets regularly with everyone getting on with their job to make the Dingle Races the success it is. During the races itself the team could rise to 50 or 60 people - all hardworking volunteers without whom the races just wouldn’t happen.”