Niamh O'Donoghue, 11 May
School children from Killashee Multi-Denominational National School,
Scoil Bhríde and Scoil an Linbh Iosa took part in a special Horse
Racing Ireland (HRI) Racing Juniors education day at Naas Racecourse on
Wednesday May 8 as the racecourse gears up for their three family fun
days - Saturday May 11, Saturday July 6 and Sunday August 25.
225 children got to go behind the scenes at Naas Racecourse and meet
Kill-based trainer Ross O’Sullivan and his racehorse Gracesolution.
Ross explained what his job entails as a racehorse trainer as well as a
typical day-to-day routine for his racehorses, their exercise schedule
and diet, and how he prepares them to run in a race.
Former jockey Denis O’Regan brought the children into the weighroom to
show them the jockeys’ changing room and the kit jockeys wear and use
on race days including boots, back-protector, helmet and saddle.
Track Foreman Shane Webb took the children on a course walk to see
first-hand how the team prepare the track for a race meeting. In
addition, RACE - the Racing Academy and Centre of Education, were on
hand to give children an opportunity to ride the racehorse simulator
and farrier Sean Kelly explained the role of the farrier and the
special skills and equipment required to treat racehorses hooves. The
pupils also met some of the team from The Irish National Stud for a Q&A
session about the workings of a stud farm. Lynn Hillyer, Chief
Veterinary Officer and her colleagues Graham Adams and Lesley Ferguson
at the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board spoke about how racehorses
are cared for and the role of the vets on a race day.
Children from Killashee Multi-Denominational National School, Scoil
Bhríde and Scoil an Linbh Iosa meeting trainer Ross O'Sullivan and
racehorse Gracesolution
Niamh Byrne, Marketing Manager at Naas Racecourse, said:"We were
delighted to host such a brilliant group of school children at Naas
Racecourse on Wednesday for our HRI Racing Juniors education day. Some
of these children could be the future of racing so it was fantastic to
see their enthusiasm and interest in learning about the various aspects
of the sport and industry. We are fortunate to have great support from
the Naas community, and we were delighted to give each child a family
ticket to one of our upcoming family fun days on Saturday May 11,
Saturday July 6 and Sunday August 25. We look forward to welcoming them
and their families back to Naas Racecourse this summer.”
Children from Killashee Multi-Denominational National School, Scoil
Bhríde and Scoil an Linbh Iosa at the Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Racing
Juniors education day. Pictures: Inpho
The first of three family fun days at Naas Racecourse starts this
Saturday May 11. The kids’ activities - face painting, party kidz fun
and games, reptile zoo, magic show on the three days, are free.
The objective of the HRI Racing Juniors education days is to encourage
an affinity with racehorses among the younger generation and
demonstrate the variety of careers available in the racing and breeding
industry in Ireland.