Leading national hunt jockeys launch the horse racing ireland ploughing championships marquee

Grade 1 Cheltenham race winning jockeys Bryan Cooper and Adrian Heskin and leading lady amateur jockey Kate Harrington launched Horse Racing Ireland’s (HRI’s) attendance at the National Ploughing Championships today, at Dunbyrne Stud, Co. Kildare.

HRI will attend the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Stradbally, Co. Laois for all three days (Tuesday 22nd – Thursday 24th September). At The Races presenter Matt Chapman will act as MC, interviewing a wide selection of National Hunt jockeys daily and hosting a range of competitions.

The main displays will include information on:

- All 26 Racecourses in Ireland
- RACE Racing Academy and Centre of Education
- Racehorse Ownership in Ireland
- Irish National Stud
- Tote Ireland

Visitors to the HRI marquee will have a chance to win a share in a racehorse with the Supreme Horse Racing Club, which will be trained by Champion National Hunt Trainer Willie Mullins. The competition, in association with Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, is free to enter at the Racehorse Ownership section of the marquee.

R.A.C.E. (Racing Academy and Centre of Education) will give horse simulator demonstrations, allowing members of the public to experience what it is like to ride a racehorse. Visitors will also gain an understanding of the career opportunities in the racing industry.

A ‘Mastermind’ battle will also be a feature of the daily shows, with Matt Chapman taking on Horse Racing Ireland racing expert, Martin Murphy. Another fun element is a ‘Dating at the Races’ gameshow, with a date at the races including hospitality, on offer for the winning couple and a group of their friends.

Matt Chapman said: 'As anyone who watches At The Races will know, I'm always only too willing to comment on the tractors while gearing up for a race. Tractor work in Ireland is superb. This is a great chance for me to get involved with Irish culture and play a small part in showing Ireland's terrific racing industry off to the public. We'll also be having a bit of fun, so my advice is if you fancy a good day out come and join us as I go ploughing crazy. Yeeehaaa!'

Editor’s notes

The Horse Racing Ireland marquee will be located at: Block No: 3, Row No: 22, Stand No: 388