LAST year will be remembered forever by racegoers at Kilbeggan for many reasons, not least of which was a visit by the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina. The couple spent a relaxing evening at the Co Westmeath venue, during which they met Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy, among others.

Getting a visit to Kilbeggan from the President was quite a coup for racecourse manager Paddy Dunican, a year after he had another high-profile visit to his popular track from the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Speculation abounds as to who will be among the throngs to make their way through the turnstiles for the 2019 season which kicks off on Friday next, with seven races commencing at 4.55pm.

Paddy and his team are all geared up for a great year ahead, building on the success of 2018. He told me this week: “Last year was a very successful one with significant growth in the number of new people coming to our race meetings. Our biggest growth in attendance is from local businesses and companies bringing their staff and customers for a day out. We are looking forward to our new season of racing, with eight race meetings planned from now until next September, and we are confident that 2019 will be a great year for us.”

Last year saw a number of feature days at Kilbeggan, and Paddy leaves no stone unturned when it comes to building relationships, partnerships and networking. Each year he brings a number of ambassadors to the races, and 2018 saw a visit from the British ambassador. Word has spread in diplomatic circles about the fun time to be had at the races and an invitation to the midlands is always much appreciated.

Friday’s card sees a new name on the sponsor’s roster at Kilbeggan, BetVictor. Paddy is thrilled to have the support; quite a compliment given some of BetVictor’s other high-profile partnerships. “We are delighted to welcome our new sponsor BetVictor, one of the world’s largest independent bookmakers and an industry leader in betting innovation.”

With over 500 employees, BetVictor is a well-established innovator in the gambling industry. Since 2016 it has also partnered Liverpool F.C. and is headline sponsor of Cheltenham’s November Meeting.

The Irish European Breeders’ Fund is co-sponsor of the most valuable race on the card, the mares’ beginners chase. Last year Rogue Angel and Woodland Opera were among the winners at Kilbeggan, as was the Willie Mullins-trained Aramon. The latter won his maiden hurdle before going on to win a Grade 1 and run second at Aintree.

Mullins and Gordon Elliott are the most successful trainers of the current National Hunt season at Kilbeggan, saddling nine winners each. This statistic tells its own story about the popularity of the track. It is also worth mentioning that the most famous horse in training, Tiger Roll, won a chase at Kilbeggan in June 2016 on his way to National glory.

Paddy loves relating a piece of history about the track, a history that has been recorded in book form by Stan McCormick. “One hundred years ago, in 1919, an outsider named Clonsheever fell at Kilbeggan, but he is considered one of the greatest Galway Plate winners ever. He won the race in 1923 and 1924 and attempted the hat-trick in 1925 carrying 13st 11 lbs – not even Arkle could match that burden – and still finished third.”

Kilbeggan’s compactness creates a wonderful warm atmosphere as everyone is together for the excitement, thrilling finishes, cheering, laughter, and all the things that make a great day out. Try it for yourself.