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HAVE you ever fostered a wish to visit every racecourse in Ireland, or do you know someone who might enjoy that challenge?
Racing fan and syndicate member Stephen Murphy was inspired by that idea to create a diary aimed at racegoers who harbour an ambition to complete the full set of 26 Irish tracks.
The leather-bound diary contains maps and details of each racecourse, alongside space for the racegoers to log their own experience and comments.
Diary owners can take encouragement from contributions given by Patrick Mullins, Rachael Blackmore, Nina Carberry, Willie Mullins, Aidan O’Brien, J.P. McManus, Barry Maloney and Suzanne Eade, all of whom have given a quote on why they love racing.
There’s also a quote from well-known racegoer Eddie McGrath, who has not only visited every Irish track but has also been to every British racecourse. It was a story in The Irish Field in 2024 about McGrath which planted the seed in Murphy’s mind to create The Irish Racegoer’s Diary.
Murphy told The Irish Field: “The idea for The Irish Racegoer’s Diary came from my own love of horse racing, my involvement in the Gorm Agus Ban syndicate, and the story of Eddie, my friend’s father, who spent over 50 years travelling to racecourses across Ireland and the UK. He collected memories, stories and race days along the way, and that really stayed with me.
“I have been working on the diary for the last two years. What started as a small idea grew into something much more personal and ambitious. I wanted to create a proper keepsake for racegoers, something that would allow people to record their visits to every racecourse in Ireland, keep notes from the day, remember the horses they followed, and hold onto the tickets, racecards and little memories that make a day at the races so special.
“I was very lucky to have great support along the way. Horse Racing Ireland supplied the racecourse maps, Pat Healy kindly provided some beautiful racing images, and Paul Martin worked closely with me on the wonderful design of the diary. I also received unique contributions from some very special people in Irish racing.
“Their words really help capture what makes Irish racing so special, from the horses and the people to the atmosphere, memories and lifelong friendships that come from the sport.
“I hope the diary will appeal to regular racegoers, racing fans, owners, syndicate members and anyone who enjoys visiting different racecourses around Ireland. I also think it makes a lovely gift idea for birthdays, Christmas, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day or for anyone who is difficult to buy for, but has a real love of racing. The Irish edition is the first in what I hope will become a wider collection. I am already working on the UK version for next year, with the ambition to follow on with editions for the USA and other countries, where racing and racecourses are such an important part of sporting life.”
Priced at €24.99 The Irish Racegoer’s Diary can be ordered online and will be dispatched to customers in September.
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