Racing Education Day at Naas Racecourse

Racing Education Day at Naas Racecourse

232 School Children at HRI's 'Go Racing Kids Club'

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) today (Tues. 4th Apr.) held a ‘Go Racing Kids’ Club’ Day at Naas racecourse, ahead of their family fun race day this Sunday, which will feature the Gladness Stakes.
 
The objective of the ‘Go Racing Kids’ Club’ is to educate school children about racing and show them what happens behind-the-scenes at a racecourse. It also builds relationships between the racecourses and their local community, encouraging an affinity with racing which will hopefully produce future racegoers.
 
232 fifth and sixth class pupils from four local schools took part. As part of the day they spent time walking the track with racecourse manager, Tom Ryan who explained how the team at Naas racecourse prepare the track for its racing season, and the redevelopments which will be taking place at the track over the coming months.
 
21-year-old jockey Jonathan Burke and local trainer Peter Maher spoke to the children about their day-to-day routines as a jockey and a racehorse trainer, and Peter introduced them to racehorse Mtada Supreme.
 
The pupils also received demonstrations from R.A.C.E.’s (Racing Academy & Centre of Education) racehorse simulator and took part in the ‘Front Runner – Racing Club for Kids’ racing-themed games, puzzles and quizzes.
 
Each pupil received a ‘Go Racing Kids’ Club’ goodie bag which included two complimentary tickets for them and their family members to go racing at Naas’ family fun day this Sunday, with lots of free activities for children.  All children under 18 get free admission.
 
Tom Ryan, Manager at Naas racecourse, commented: “We were delighted to welcome the pupils from four local schools here today to learn about their local racecourse.  We explained to them that this year we are assisting our neighbours at the Curragh racecourse with their fixtures due to their redevelopment and we gave the pupils an insight into what goes on behind the scenes in the run-up to each meeting.  They had a great day, and we look forward to welcoming them back this Sunday.”

Back to the News Archive Latest News