Ireland Racing

ireland racing

With the advancements that have taken place within the world of online wagering systems in recent years, there are more opportunities now available to Aussie punters than ever before. One superb example of this is the Ireland racing scene, which has witnessed thousands of Australian punters online placing wagers in recent months. With many of Irelands most popular Flat and National Hunt meetings being provided through online bookmakers, they are little more than a click away for punters all over Australia.

Leopardstown Racecourse

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One of the most popular racing venues on the Ireland racing scene is Leopardstown Racecourse in Leopardstown, County Dublin. The course plays host to many great race meetings throughout the season with both Flat and National Hunt races since 1967 when the Horse Racing Board of Ireland acquired the venue. With over 22 special race meetings held each year plus a number of regular race days, this is one of the premier locations for all Australian punters interested in the Ireland racing scene.

There have been many fan favourite thoroughbreds, jockeys, and trainers competing in many of the races held at Leopardstown Racecourse each year. Some of the more notable members of the Leopardstown Hall of Fame include Nijinsky, Arkle, Levmoss, Dawn Run, Tom Dreaper, Pat Eddery, Vincent O’Brien, and Taaffe.

There are a number of major races and Irish Champion stakes meetings held at the course during the season. Some of the notable Flat races held at the course include the Matron Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes held annually in September, and the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial in May. Some of the noteworthy National Hunt events held at Leopardstown includes the Irish Champion Hurdle, Pierse Hurdle, and Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup all held annually in January, as well as the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, Deloitte Novice Hurdle, and Dr P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase held in February. December will see the annual running of the December Festival Hurdle, and the Lexus Chase. With so many top notch race meetings held at the course each year, this is a great venue for Australian punters online interested in betting on the Ireland racing scene.

Irish Champion Stakes

If there is one race that Australian racing fans should be looking out for within the Ireland racing market this upcoming season is the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes held at Leopardstown Racecourse annually in September. The race is officially open to thoroughbreds three years of age or older and is a flat race run over a distance of 2,012 metres. The race has been around for a relatively long time on the circuit having been first run in 1976. However, back then it was known as the Joe McGrath Memorial Stakes until being changed to the Phoenix Champion Stakes when it was moved to Phoneix Park in 1984. It would eventually be returned to Leopardstown Racecourse in 1991. Since then, the race has continuously grown and become an extremely important event as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge in 2009.

While there have been many very talented trainers, jockeys, and thoroughbreds competing in the Irish Champion Stakes each year, there have some that have had performances that really stand out. Some of these include some of the greats within the Ireland racing scene. Some of the record holders for the event include Dylan Thomas as the most successful thoroughbred with 2 wins in 2006 and 2007, jockey Michael Kinane with 7 wins in 1989, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2004, and 2009, and trainers Vincent O’Brien and Aidan O’Brien with 5 wins each spanning from 1978 to 2007.

Some of the champions of the Irish Champion Stakes include Sea the Stars with jockey Michael Kinane in 2009, New Approach with jockey Kevin Manning in 2008, and Dylan Thomas with jockey Kieren Fallon in 2007 and 2006. These competitors will definitely be favourites among the online wagering venues for the event during the upcoming season.

Conclusion:

There are a number of races held in Australia each year that provide Australian punters online with more than enough opportunities. However, there are also many other excellent new betting options available for Aussie punters for foreign markets such as the Ireland racing scene. There has been record numbers of Aussie punters taking advantage of these betting options and betting on some of the popular races held in Ireland. Some of these include the Irish Champion Stakes held annually in September and the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial in May. With so many excellent betting options available for all the great races within the Ireland racing scene, there is bound to be tons of Aussie punters taking advantage during 2010.