Kildare pupils get tour of Curragh Racecourse
Aaron Buckley from Scoil Mhuire NS Newbridge has a go on the horse simulator
THE Curragh Racecourse welcomed school children to the racecourse last week to take part in a special education day in association with HRI Racing Juniors.
This is as the County Kildare track gears up for the start of their Classic race season, with the upcoming Tattersalls Irish Guineas weekend, taking place from 23-25 May.
Over 350 children from six local schools including Scoil Mhuire, Newbridge; Gaelscoil Cill Dara; Scoil Bhride, Lackagh; St Peter’s, Monasterevin; Scoil Bhride, Kilcullen and Scoil Mhuire, Allenwood, got to go behind the scenes at the world-famous racecourse with the local Scoil Mhuire Newbridge incorporating their PE lesson for the day by walking to and from the racecourse!
Curragh-based racehorse trainer Richard Brabazon, together with his horse, Harmony Blues, were on hand to greet the children.
Richard 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 his racehorses to run in a race.
Master farrier Donal Bennett was joined by students from the Farriery School in Kildare to give the children a shoeing demonstration, explaining the role of the farrier and the special skills and equipment required to treat racehorses’ hooves.
Riding Coach Niall Byrne from the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE), gave the children an opportunity to ride the racehorse simulator.
Members of the Curragh racecourse team brought the children on a tour of the racecourse and explained how the team prepare the track for a race meeting and all the equipment required to maintain the racing surface.
Especially well received by the children was the insight into a jockey’s life delivered in the jockeys changing room by Paul Keane, sales and hospitality manager with the Curragh and a track walk with Richard Brophy, racecourse track manager who explained the care and attention that goes into maintaining the Curragh race tracks and training grounds.
Evan Arkwright of the Curragh Racecourse, said: “Our objective is to help create opportunities for young people to engage with the racecourse and learn more about the sport’s many and varied career pathways as well as building pride amongst children living close as to the lovely facilities on offer at the Curragh Racecourse and an awareness of how important the racecourse is to the horse racing industry in Ireland.”
Children were also asked to write a short story to describe their visit and enjoyed a complimentary goody bag courtesy of the Curragh and HRI.
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.
