ONE of the highlights of the Kildare Derby Festival each year is the pop-up Racing Legends Museum at The Old Courthouse in Kildare Town.

A host of local and national racing personalities and VIPs gathered there recently for the posthumous induction of trainer P.J. ‘Darkie’ Prendergast into the museum’s Hall of Legends.

Among those present was museum curator Jim Kavanagh who said: “The Prendergast family is synonymous with Irish racing and it is timely that P.J. receives his place in the Hall of Legends. P.J. put Irish racing on the map, as the first Irish trainer to win Britain’s flat championship three years in a row in 1963, 1964 and 1965. He has had a huge impact on Irish racing, both as a trainer and a breeder. We are delighted to induct P.J. into the Kildare Derby Festival Hall of Legends at the Museum for 2023.”

Jim was joined at the launch by fellow racing historian and retired trainer Guy St Williams, Cathal Beale from the Irish National Stud, Councillor and Mayor of Kildare and Newbridge Municipal District Suzanne O’Loughlin, Councillor Mark Stafford, Evan Arkwright from the Curragh Racecourse, Rose O’Loughlin of the Keadeen Hotel and Laura McGee from Thoroughbred Country.

Members of the Prendergast family in attendance included Kevin, Patrick (Junior) and Orla Coonan Prendergast. Brothers Tom and Robbie Gallagher, who worked for P.J. were also present and recalled tales of looking after some of PJ’s greatest horses including Meadow Court and Ragusa.

The Prendergast story will be available to view at the Racing Legends Museum until July 23rd, open from 10am to 4pm. P.J. takes his place alongside fellow ‘Derby Legends’ Old Vic, Sinndar and jockey Steve Cauthen.

The Racing Legends Museum boasts a unique collection of racing memorabilia, silks, trophies and videos of thoroughbred horses of the past along with information on some of the most famous Irish Derby jockeys and trainers.