The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
‘The people in Listowel are alive to the culture of the races’
IF there’s one positive to be had from knowing summer is coming to an end, it’s knowing that Listowel Races is about to start. Seven days of top racing action is the boast of the Listowel Harvest Racing Festival which runs from Sunday 10 to Saturday 16 of September.
Total prize money over the 7-day extravaganza is €1.3 million which is a phenomenal sum making Listowel Races one of the top meetings in the country. David Fitzmaurice is Chairman of the Listowel Racing Company and he explains the significance of this for Listowel.
“We have increased our prize money this year by €60,000 to €1.3 million. There is only five racecourses in Ireland that have prize money in excess of that amount and there are 27 racecourses in the country. That gives you an idea of how significant this is. All in all the people of Listowel are alive to the culture of the races having grown up with it. It’s a major week in our year,” David said.
The showcase event is the €175,000 Guinness Kerry National Handicap Steeplechase Chase on Wednesday 13 – a race that 2015 Gold Cup hero Coneygree is listed among the declarations (ground dependent). Racing fans won’t need reminding of the significance of this, so watch this space! Moreover, the winning horse of the Kerry National is ensured automatic entry to the Aintree Grand National next spring – a prospect that won’t have been lost on trainers and owners.
The €55,000 Guinness Handicap Hurdle on Thursday 14, and the Listowel Races Supporters Club Sponsored ‘The Slán Abhaile” Race on Saturday 16 are further races guaranteed to attract the top stables and horses to the north Kerry capital.
David added: “All the people of Listowel have grown up with the races and they have all in some way benefited from it along the lines of employment and extra business, etc. it’s a week that many people just draw a line through while Listowel Races are in full flow. I’m a third generation accountant in Listowel and I can tell you for certain that the races are worth around €30 million to the town and its surrounding environs.”