IRELAND’S newest racing festival, with a difference, is the Boyne Valley Racing Weekend. It has been created to celebrate Co Meath’s lavish and historic relationship with the horse, one that has been an intricate part of the county’s culture for thousands of years.

Evidence of 2,000-year-old carbon dated horse bones from the Boyne Valley Iron Age excavations at Newgrange and Tara in the royal county show the country’s earliest evidence of the domestication of horses for draught work. This may have extended to racing as horse teeth analysed from the site show evidence of wearing, consistent with the use of a horse ‘bit’ to control the animals which are still in use today on bridles.

The new festival of racing to be held in July will also celebrate ‘all things Meath’, including the county’s rich culture in sport from the surrounding historic Boyne Valley hinterland. Horse racing continues to be one of the county’s most popular spectator sports, with just over 107,000 people attending race meetings in Co Meath last year.

The long history and heritage of the horse in Ireland has led to Co Meath having the second highest number of horses in training in the country after Kildare. No fewer than 787 of them battled for just over €7.7m in prizemoney in the county’s four racing venues last year.

Festivities start in Navan racecourse on Saturday, July 13th and this will be followed by great entertainment off track with live music by well-known Irish artist Paddy Casey to keep punters happy after racing. There will also be delicious hospitality options on offer, with perfect summer food from the region being served.

The festival of racing continues the next day with a special family day at Fairyhouse racecourse on Sunday, July 14th, with a specific emphasis placed on making the day enjoyable for all the family. In addition to great flat racing which will feature the Group 3 Brownstown Stakes, there will be ample free entertainment laid on for the kids so that the parents are sure to be able to relax and enjoy some family time along with a great day at the races.

Kate O’Sullivan, marketing manager for Fairyhouse and Navan racecourses, said: “Co Meath has arguably more equine history than any other county, woven into its amazing heritage over thousands of years, and we felt that we should celebrate the relationship with the Boyne Valley in the ‘Royal Country’ within our new racing festival in July.

“Navan is perfectly placed in the middle of the county, by the River Boyne, where we’ll have the hugely popular singer Paddy Casey to help us celebrate after racing. Next day in Fairyhouse, the home of Ireland’s favourite and best-known race, the Irish Grand National, will be a special day for families. The racecourse is situated near the village of Ratoath which is the gateway into the county.”

“What we can say overall is that horses were an intrinsic part of life in Meath and the Boyne Valley for over 2,000 years. They formed part of the rituals and ceremonies of Celtic Ireland, and feature heavily in the great Irish myths centred in the Boyne Valley.

Horses continued to be important for work and warfare with the Vikings and English knights and gradually, as Ireland stabilised politically and socially, they began to be used for sport more frequently, especially from the 18th century onward,” she continued.

A visit to the websites of both racecourses will elicit all the information you need and allow for early booking and quick access on course for both racedays.