Easter Racing Round-Up: Education, Prize Money Boosts, and a Tribute Across Irish Racecourses
With the Easter Festival period underway, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) racecourses have launched a series of initiatives and announcements spanning youth engagement, prize money investment, and memorial tributes. The updates come from three key venues — Fairyhouse, Leopardstown, and Cork — showcasing the diversity and depth of racing activity this April.
250 Schoolchildren Attend HRI Racing Juniors Day at Fairyhouse
On Wednesday, April 2, Fairyhouse Racecourse hosted over 250 primary school children from four County Meath schools as part of the HRI Racing Juniors education programme. The event gave students behind-the-scenes access to the racecourse in the run-up to its three-day Easter Festival (April 19–21).
Highlights included an educational session with trainer Thomas Dreaper and his horse Folly Master, a tour of the weighroom led by jockey Paddy O’Hanlon, a track walk with the ground staff, and an interactive demonstration from the RACE Academy using a racehorse simulator.
The HRI Racing Juniors programme aims to build early connections with racehorses and promote awareness of career opportunities in the Irish racing and breeding industry.
Leopardstown Announces Major Prize Money Increases for 2025 Flat Season
Leopardstown Racecourse has confirmed a €271,000 increase in prize money contributions for the 2025 Flat season, bringing total prize money to an estimated €5.5 million for the year.
Key updates include:
- Group 3 races increased to a minimum of €60,000
- Listed races now at €45,000
- Two-year-old maidens increased to €20,000 minimum
- Handicaps across five bands raised, ranging from €12,000 to €30,000
These changes are designed to broaden participation and reward across all tiers of racing, with early season form already showing promise from contenders such as Delacroix and Swelter during recent trials.
Michael O’Sullivan Chase Announced for Cork Easter Festival
Cork Racecourse Mallow, in partnership with Bar One Racing, has announced that the feature three-mile chase on Easter Sunday (April 20) will be run as the Michael O’Sullivan Chase, in tribute to the late jockey from Lombardstown.
Michael O’Sullivan rode his first winner at the Cork Easter Festival in 2018 and achieved a notable treble there in 2023. The renamed race honours his lasting impact on the local racing scene and will be a focal point of the middle day of Cork’s Easter Festival.
