Get yourself to Bellewstown

LATE Summer Evenings at Bellewstown Races on the Hill of Crockafatha are cherished by those who have enjoyed the experience, and if you have not done so yet you should get yourself Racing up the Hill on Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st August for ‘Summer’s Last Hurrah!’

Soak up the last of what Summer has to offer and spend an evening taking in the views to the sea, the colour, the style and the buzz of Racing at Bellewstown. Bellewstown Racecourse is beautifully situated with magnificent views of the Mountains of Mourne to the north and the Irish Sea to the east. The tradition of Summer Racing dates back centuries and the first record of racing here appears in the August edition of the Dublin Gazette and the Weekly Courier in 1726.

The Drogheda Traders Plate was first run on the famous hill of Bellewstown in 1834. As the name suggests, the purse and the Plate itself were funded by a group of Drogheda traders keen to acknowledge the close historical link between the town and the races at Bellewstown.

Sadly, the race was discontinued in 1959 but the current local Committee decided to re-instate this race, and the link between the racecourse and the Drogheda business community, so, in 2016, the ‘Plate’ was raced for once again.

Using the original sponsorship model, the traders plate is co-sponsored by a large group of businesses from Drogheda and the surrounding area. They will get to experience race sponsorship at a reasonable level and also a great day out in the Bellewstown Harvest marquee, including a fantastic sweepstake on the race itself for all co-sponsors. The Race is a 1m 4f flat handicap with a prize fund of €25,000. This will be the richest Flat race ever held at Bellewstown and one which all parties hope to grow as the profile of the race increases year on year. Last year it was won by the legendary John Oxx, with Xebec. This year’s renewal will be on Wednesday 30th August and the committee are hopeful of a strong entry once again.

Simon Mulvany, Committee member and local businessman says, ‘the concept of renewing the Traders Plate has grown from a small seed to a Feature race on the Bellewstown racing calendar. I am delighted with the tremendous response which the local traders have given to this historic event. I hope that this year’s renewal will have the same support from the racing community’.

This year racegoers can avail of some seriously good value by purchasing a Punters Package -’The Bellewstown Belter’ which includes Enclosure Admission, Free Pint, a €5 ‘Matched’ Bet and a Colour Racecard - all this for only €20! On Wednesday 30th August we will see the return of the “Drogheda Traders Plate” which was first raced for on the Hill of Crockafotha in 1834.

For a contribution of €300 any local business will be named as a co-sponsor and will receive two tickets for a gala BBQ Meal in the Corporate Marquee on the night. This is an excellent networking opportunity for all local businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs, and a chance for some fantastic, great value exposure for your business.

On Thursday 31st August Bellewstown Racecourse will host the RSVP Magazine Best Dressed Lady Competition, which will be judged by the “Judge Fashion Editor RSVP Magazine”. If you fancy enjoying the RSVP Best Dressed Evening in the comfort of our BBQ Marquee with 3 Course BBQ Meal, Tipster, Racecard and post race Music and Dancing, some tickets are still available for just €50 on 1st come 1st served basis.

There is a prize fund of over €3,000 for the competition with the Best Dressed Lady winning a VIP Weekend for 2 in the newly refurbished Rose Hotel, Tralee with 2Nights B&B and 1 Night with Dinner, 2nd will collect a €1,000 Voucher for non-invasive treatments at Enhance Medical, 3rd a €500 Voucher for Olive’s Boutique in Drogheda, lastly a wonderful 4th Prize of an Overnight Stay for 2 in Bellinter House, Navan, Co. Meath, with Dinner and wine.

There will be two Special prizes for the Best Dressed Lady in Yellow, in honour of the great ‘Yellow Sam’ coup, with winners receiving a Yon-Ka Hamper worth €300 and runner-up a Sleek Hamper value €300. Up to 100 Ladies who have made the effort and are selected will be entertained in the Best Dressed Marquee and treated to a glass of wine. Not to be outdone the winner of the Best Dressed Gent will receive a stylish Suit, Shirt and Tie to the value of €400 from Best Menswear, Scotch Hall in Drogheda. For All Ticket Enquiries and Group Discounts Call 086 8629405, email klaybell@eircom.net or go to www.bellewstownraces.ie.