TODAY’S card at Bellewstown (Saturday, April 1st) features His Majesty’s Cup, a race which has been reinstated after a 43-year hiatus.

This race stems back to March 1800 when George Tandy, former Lord Mayor of Drogheda, headed a successful delegation to petition the Duke of Richmond for an annual subscription of 100 guineas towards the race, leading to the creation of the annual King’s/Majesty’s Cup. This race continued its proud tradition until 1980.

Speaking at the re-launch of His Majesty’s Cup race, Bellewstown racecourse chairman Jack Gogarty stated that the racecourse is very proud of its long and enduring association with His Majesty’s Cup.

The chairman acknowledged Bellewstown Racecourse’s appreciation in working with the British Embassy in reinstating this race, highlighting the close relationship between horse racing and the monarchy.

“The race will be part of a great day’s racing at Bellewstown and will be warmly welcomed by the many British and Irish racegoers who attend racemeetings annually,” said Gogarty. “We are delighted that the race coincides with the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.”

The British Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston, said: “The reinstatement of His Majesty’s Cup highlights another example of the deep and enduring UK-Ireland connections in horse racing.

“Our peoples have a shared passion for horses and racing, highlighted by Queen Elizabeth’s visit to the Irish National Stud in 2011, and, most recently, the visit last year by the Duchess of Cornwall (now Queen Consort) to Henry de Bromhead’s stables in 2022, where she met Rachael Blackmore, a regular jockey on the Bellewstown course.

“It is fantastic to see His Majesty’s Cup being run again for the first time in over 40 years, especially just a few weeks before King Charles’ coronation and as we approach Bellewstown Racecourse’s 300th anniversary in 2026.”

Legal firm Gartlan Furey is sponsoring the race. The company’s managing partner Dermot Furey said: “As a local person born in Laytown it is extra special for our firm to play a part in the relaunch of this historic race in Bellewstown where I went racing many times in my youth.”