WINTER all-weather action might be quietening down at Dundalk soon, but there was quite a stir at the Co Louth venue last week when nearly 300 primary school children went behind the scenes at a Horse Racing Ireland-led Racing Juniors education day.

Students from Scoil Mhuire na nGael and Réalt Na Mara took part in a special visit ahead of the racecourse’s Easter race meetings, the next of which comes up on Friday, April 5th.

Group 1-winning trainer and Dundalk regular Ado McGuinness brought along his stable stalwart Saltonstall as part of a demonstration for what his job entails in the industry, as well as explaining the typical day-to-day routine for his racehorses, their exercise schedule, diet, and race preparation

Jockey Cian MacRedmond brought the children into the weighing room to show them the facilities and the various pieces of equipment that jockeys wear, while track foreman Sean Gamble took the children on a course walk to see first-hand how the team prepare the track for a fixture.

They also met farrier John McAteer for a demonstration and question-and-answer session, as well as being joined by the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE) team and racehorse simulator.

Dundalk’s sales and marketing manager, Lisa O’Connor, said: “It is important for the team at Dundalk Stadium to connect with our local community, so we hope this opportunity to get up close and personal with a trainer and his racehorse, a jockey and a farrier will foster a connection to the equine and human stars of our sport and the range of jobs the thoroughbred breeding and racing industry offers.”

To register your school’s interest for a free-to-attend HRI Racing Juniors education day at your local racecourse in 2024, email: hriracingjuniors@hri.ie.