School children from Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail, Scoil Réalta na Maidine, Presentation Primary School and Dromclough National School in Listowel took part in a special Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Racing Juniors education day at Listowel Racecourse on Tuesday September 9 as the County Kerry racecourse gears up for their seven-day Harvest Festival which gets underway on Sunday September 21.
140 fifth and sixth class primary school children got to go behind the scenes at Listowel Racecourse and meet racehorse trainer Eoin McCarthy and his racehorse Jekiki who 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.
Jockey Calum Hogan 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.
Head Groundsman Dan O'Connell took the children on a course walk to see first-hand how the team prepare the track for a race meeting and all the machinery and equipment to maintain the racing surface.
Listowel Chairman Maurice Carroll, said: “We were delighted to host our HRI Juniors education day and welcome so many enthusiastic and interested pupils from Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail, Scoil Réalta na Maidine, Presentation Primary School and Dromclough National School.
“The HRI Juniors education days are a wonderful opportunity for the next generation of racegoers to learn about horse racing, see behind the scenes of a racecourse, get up close and personal to a racehorse and understand the variety of jobs available in the racing and breeding industry. We look forward to welcoming back all the children and their families to Listowel Racecourse for our Harvest Festival which gets underway on Sunday September 21 for seven great days.”
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.
HRI Racing Juniors education days are free to attend. To register your school’s interest for a HRI Racing Juniors education day at your local racecourse, please email: [email protected].
140 school children from Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail, Scoil Réalta na Maidine, Presentation Primary School and Dromclough National School with racehorse trainer Eoin McCarthy and his racehorse Jekiki at the Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Racing Juniors education day at Listowel Racecourse as the County Kerry racecourse gears up for their seven-day Harvest Festival which gets underway on Sunday September 21.
