Killarney Races 2017 season begins with ‘Mad Hatters Day’
KILLARNEY Races kicks off its Summer Racing Season on Sunday 14th May to Tuesday 16 th offering 3 days of the very best of Festival Racing. Sunday and Monday are both National Hunt cards, whilst Tuesday is an all flat card.
‘MAD HATTERS DAY’
Sunday is the very popular ‘Mad Hatters Day’, head to wonderland and get creative with your best fun design, there will be categories of competition for Children and Adults. The theme for the day will incorporate ‘imagination, colour and fun’. Competition Entry: Entrants should proceed (before 3p.m.) to the ‘Mad Hatters Gathering’ in the Glass Bar situated upstairs over the Jim Culloty Bar, where our judges will view the spectacular headpieces on show. The winners will be announced in the Parade Ring at approximately 4.30p.m.
Manager of Killarney Racecourse, Micheál Lucey said ‘We eagerly await the opening day of our 2017 racing season and Sunday the 14th May promises to be an action packed opening with the very best of National Hunt racing and many more attractions which should ensure a great day out for all’.
The first race on Sunday the 14th May is at 2.05pm with the feature race on the day being The Grade B Redweld Engineering Limited Handicap Hurdle with a prize fund of €50,000.
Monday the 15th May is ‘Lá na gClub’ with six local G.A.A. Clubs, including all Ireland club champions Dr. Crokes, taking part in a free-taking competition during Racing to win a prize of €2,000 for their respective Club.
Monday is also ‘Killarney National Night’ with the running of the “McSweeney Arms Hotel Killarney National” over three miles and two furlongs. Last year’s race was won by JP McManus’s prolific cross country chaser Cantlow and this year’s renewal promises to be ultra competitive with a prize fund of €40,000 up for grabs. First Race is off at 5.10p.m.
Tuesday’s race card 16th May is a flat card and First Race is off at 5.50p.m.
With almost €400,000 prize money on offer over the three days it will be a great racing festival, so why not come and join us?
Restaurant and social packages are still available on all three days of the May festival, for bookings contact 0646631125.