THE Curragh Racecourse, in association with the Kildare-based auction house Goffs, will offer all active racehorse owners and a guest the opportunity to enjoy an exciting day at the races, with free admission on the first day of the Autumn Racing Festival today.

The exciting card features the Goffs Million, and all you have to do is simply show your Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR) card at the ticket collection unit, based outside the entrance of the racecourse, to avail of this great offer. The eight-race card will kick off just after 1pm. In addition, Horse Racing Ireland Ownership will be on hand to answer any of your ownership queries.

An appealing feature will be interviews with experts from the racing industry, sharing their insights and talking about the benefits of racehorse ownership. Racegoers will have the chance to meet representatives from a variety of ownership groups who will offer advice and discuss syndicate opportunities in Ireland.

The weekend of racing at the Curragh features the Goffs Million and the Group 2 Alan Smurfit Memorial Beresford Stakes today, while the €600,000 Friends of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch will take centre stage on Sunday, the two-mile contest being the most valuable handicap to be run in Europe this year.

The weekend also features Taste of Kildare, the ultimate racing and culinary experience, with the racecourse transformed into a foodie heaven where racegoers will be offered the opportunity to sample some of Kildare’s best food.

Back with a bang!

Friday Nights Lights got off to a flyer last week at Dundalk Stadium. The track announced that its latest sponsorship deal, at Ireland’s only all-weather racetrack, is with one of the leading names in the world of betting, William Hill.

This exciting sponsorship deal will see the long-established bookmaker take race naming and course branding for the remainder of 2022 at the popular Co Louth venue. With 20 fixtures remaining at Dundalk Stadium, and one floating fixture still to be scheduled, punters are in for an action-packed remainder of this year.

Neal Plunkett, head of marketing at William Hill Ireland, explained how excited the company is to come on board with the sponsorship: “We’re really pleased to be sponsoring and have a branding presence at Dundalk Stadium for the rest of the year. The Friday night fixtures are always very popular with punters across the country and this is another step in affirming our involvement and support for Irish racing.”

Showcase

Jim Martin, chief executive of Dundalk Stadium, added: “We’re delighted to have this opportunity to showcase the William Hill brand at our racecourse during the remainder of 2022. We are grateful for their support of our wonderful track, and indeed of Irish racing.”

Friday Night Lights are now underway at the track, which will continue to see the venue host weekly horse racing fixtures, under floodlights, on those evenings.

With feature races such as the Listed ABE Diamond Stakes, Irish EBF Star Appeal Stakes, Legacy & Cooley Stakes and the ABE Pat Smullen Mercury Stakes still to come, the word is not to miss out on some great action.

You can also go racing in style and book The View Restaurant, taking in as a backdrop the Cooley Mountains, and where an entertaining evening is guaranteed. Packages include admission and racecard, a delicious four-course meal, tableside tote betting, a private bar and waiter service for just €57 per person. For more details visit dundalkstadium.com