Ask any horse racing punter you bump into in Belfast to talk about the sport of kings, and they will probably wax lyrical about the Cheltenham Festival or Royal Ascot. These festivals are, of course, among the biggest racing events in the world, and it is normal for many of us in Northern Ireland to look across the water for elite sports events, but it’s worth noting that we have a world-class racing venue just outside the city – Down Royal. And, dare we say it, it’s criminally underrated.
Indeed, we should give a special mention to the CEO of Down Royal, Emma Meehan, who took over the role in 2018. Meehan, who had spent over ten successful years in the management and marketing of Dundalk Racecourse (another big success story), was the perfect fit for Down Royal, and the Newry-born woman quickly left her mark in her new role. It’s not that Down Royal was badly served before, but Meehan and the new board of directors breathed new life into a sports venue that was brimming with potential.
As a dual-purpose course – one that serves national hunt and flat racing – the action takes place all year round at the racecourse. Arguably the highlight of the season comes in November when it hosts the Grade 1 Champion Chase – Northern Ireland’s only Grade 1 event. Held since 1999, it has hosted horse racing royalty like Florida Pearl, Beef or Salmon and Don Cossack. The legendary Kauto Star is also a two-time winner of the event.
But the key to the allure of Down Royal is that patrons don’t come to the racecourse to indulge in a bit of horse racing betting alone. Meehan’s influence has been such that there is an intense focus on showcasing other elements of Northern Ireland’s hospitality, including food and drink experiences that provide customers with a wonderful culinary experience.
It’s plenty of fun to rub shoulders with other punters in the grandstand, but those willing to pay a little extra can sample local produce in private boxes, or access one of the corporate suites. A particular favourite is the Shortcross Gin Suite. If you like a G&T, you will know that Shortcross Gin has become one of the biggest success stories from Northern Ireland’s booming craft drinks scene, and the sponsored suite at Down Royal is a showcase for the tipple. Other suites bring in food and drink from the best artisans around the country.
If we can, for a moment, provide one criticism of the Down Royal experience, it is badly served by transport links. The question over our public transport service has been a hot-button topic this summer, so Down Royal is not alone in that. But we would like to see better public transport links serving this venue in the future. While buses can make it out to the rural setting, we would advise anybody going to perhaps book a taxi or taxi bus. While that can be expensive, it’s a little more reliable.
Down Royal has tickets available for seven meetings remaining in 2022, finishing up with one of the best events of the year – the Boxing Day races. The website has information on how you can plan your day, including information on buses and what to wear. Tickets start from just £15, but can go up to £100 for access to hospitality suites (includes dinner). It’s worth noting that children under 14 go free, and some of the race days are family-friendly. If you are a local or a tourist, it’s worth checking out. A grand day out just 25 minutes from Belfast city centre.
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