THIS coming week will see me begin my 21st Christmas Festival here at Limerick. I originally started as an assistant to the track manager, before taking over that role myself from 2007.

Over the last two decades, we have been lucky enough to see some quality horses race here, particularly at the Christmas Festival. Hopefully the 2025 renewal will prove to be no exception.

I grew up in Patrickswell, which is less than five minutes from the track. Long before the racecourse officially raced for the first time in October 2001, the site would have been used for point-to-points.

As a young lad, I would have come over to watch whenever there was a meeting. I wasn’t brought by any of my family, it was just through my own personal interest.

I would have been involved in a lot of different sports from primary school, right through to my late teens. I played a bit of football and hurling but it was mainly soccer. I wouldn’t say that I had a particularly strong interest in the racing but I always watched a bit of National Hunt.

Assistant

After I finished school, I worked on the buildings for years. I was a roofer by trade. Although I was contracted by a Cork-based company, I worked all over the country. I was based in Dublin for a good bit as well. I did that job right up to coming here to Limerick racecourse in September 2005.

I was employed as assistant to the track manager. I picked up as much as I could learn from him. I was taught about measuring the track, different lay outs, racing lines, moving fences/hurdles. Managing staff, allocating work and planning ahead were also important.

Planning ahead is crucial in this business but in the end, the weather can often be the final decision maker! Having been assistant for two years, I stepped into my current role of track manager in 2007.

Basically, anything to do with racing, I deal with hands on. I would sit down with HRI and the racecourse manager to finalise the fixtures a year in advance. Sometimes, we might make a decision regarding a particular race.

For example, the Grade 1 Novice Chase which was originally on St. Stephen’s Day was moved to the third day a few years back. On race days, I would work closely with the clerk of the course regarding racing lines, moving hurdles/fences and similar issues.

Planning

While planning for the Limerick Christmas Festival begins almost a year in advance, it really gets serious after the Munster National meeting here in October. We add an extra section of fences to the track and, move to the outer part of the course for Christmas.

As soon as the weather permits, we get in the additional fencing. We have a small meeting here in November but those races are run on the inside track. It is mainly National Hunt people in this part of the country and the Christmas Festival is very big down here.

The highlight of our four-day festival is unquestionably the Grade 1 Faugheen Chase on the third day. Ironically, it was because of the success of our student day that we took the decision to move the feature race out to later in the week.

Young people make a huge effort on student days, not just at Limerick but places like Galway, Leopardstown and Listowel also. With crowds of 11-12k here on our dedicated student race days, we have enjoyed great support. I’d like to take the opportunity to give big credit to the thousands of young people who have attended and their behaviour. They brought their flair, fashion, a fantastic atmosphere and deserve some positive appreciation. I have to say, there is not as much as an ounce of trouble.

Gardai, bus companies, security and medical staff, directors, GM and office staff all combine with our own two full-time, long serving maintenance staff Padraig and Shane, who coordinate with all parties to make everything seamless for the big days. We found that students also came out in force on our opening day of the festival on St. Stephen’s Day. By switching the feature race to later in the week, it probably suited both students and the real racing people.

Best days

The Faugheen Chase was run as the Greenmount Park Novice Chase up to 2020. It had only been made a Grade 1 race the previous year. I have to say that personally, I thought Faugheen’s win in the race in 2019 was one of the best days I ever experienced at Limerick.

The crowds were huge and both the horse and Patrick Mullins received an amazing reception when they returned to the winners’ enclosure. After his victory, it was later decided to rename the race as the Faugheen Chase. Willie Mullins won the race with Colreevy the following year but he was denied three-in-a-row in 2021.

With Gaelic Warrior and Impaire Et Passe winning the last two renewals, Willie is bidding for three-in-a-row again this year. I think if he decides to send Final Demand for the race, he will take all the beating.

The horse won over hurdles at the Christmas Festival here last year and, it would be great if he came back. Final Demand is one of the most high profile novices’ in training, so it would be a huge boost for Limerick as well.

Great team

We have a great team here. The three full-time lads that work alongside me are here almost as long as myself. Tom and Mario are both at Limerick 18 years, while Peter, who is with us six years, had been part-time for a further six-years before that.

I’d like to wish Mario the very best of luck in the future, as he is returning to his native Poland. I’d also like to thank him for all his hard work and service over the years.

We also have a large group of part-time staff with varying levels of experience who prove invaluable. Without such hard working, dedicated people, it would be impossible to do this job.

Finally, I want to wish a very happy and healthy Christmas to all our colleagues and supporters and, especially our sponsors who no racecourse can survive without.

Dave was in conversation with John O’Riordan