Limerick Racecourse is located at Greenmount Park and first opened its gates for racing in October 2001, making it the first purpose built course in Ireland for over half a century. To ensure it maintains its attendance and wide appeal the course hosts a mixed programme of Flat and National Hunt racing on an oval track with perimeter of 11 furlongs. Just 2 years earlier Limerick were staging racing nearer to the city centre at Green Park, which had been its home since Wednesday 14th October 1891, but it was felt that a more modern course with up to date facilities could only be offered if a course was built from scratch, closing Greenpark in 1999. Racing first began in Limerick in 1771, when Gentlemen were specifically asked not to entertain during races, and prior to the latest two courses the city has occupied 5 others, including Bruff, Rathkeale, Lemonfield, Newcastle West and another at Ballinacurra, although there was a period in the 1870s and 80s when little racing took place in the city. Currently the course offers 18 fixtures annually.
The Humours of Limerick Races
1.
You lads and lasses gay to me new pay attention
To cause you much delay it’s not my intention
Limerick upon this day outshines all other places
Where the lads and lasses crouds (sic) in numbers to the races
CHORUS
Limerick upon this day outshines all other places
Where the lads and lasses crouds in numbers to the races
2.
They may talk about Kildare or short grass of the Curragh
Likewise the moor of Meath or heath of Marybor’
But it’s nothing to this place for spirits light and airy
For they never could compare to our sporting races
3.
There is the tailor and his goose, the cobbler with his awl sir
The barber dressed so spruce, and butcher from their stall sir
The butler and the cook, the grocer and the baker
The counter-jumper too and the rakish mantimaker
4.
The tents are all in a row, with whiskey, wine and porter
The landlady in glee, the fiddler in great chole sir
Behind the bar she stands with her dandy-cap so frisky
With the water in her hand for to baptize the whiskey
5.
I was gazing all around me to know who would win the race sir
And upon a coach-and-four I neatly tock my place sir
I espied a wooden house and in the upper storey
The band struck up a tone called Garryown-na-glory
6.
There are fiddlers playing gigs, lads and lasses dancing
And chaps upon their nags around the course prancing
Some smashing cups and bowls, while others bawl out gaily
Hurrah! for the shamrock green, here is the sprig of shilelah
7.
You’ll find gamblers in their groups with the marble and the dice sir
Also the trick-of-the-loop and the thimbleman in style
I will give one advice to every stupid blockhead
When the race is out I’d have him mind his pocket
8.
Prime mutton, beef and ham, there by the round they’ll sell you
For an old puck-goat or ram to take you down I’ll tell you
Hot soup and bread that will blow your belly out sir
It would warm all your nerves and cure you of your gout sir
9.
Now to conclude my song those verses I mean to end
May our gentry live long who those races did invent
May our hills be always green and our hearts never weary
But everything serene with Limerick sporting races
The missing years; the period, in the mid to late 19th century, when no racing took place in the vicinity of Limerick.
1867 The last meeting at Newcastle took place on 18th and 19th September attended by an unruly crowd and marked by 2 unfortunate incidents. A man named Mullins, from Galway, brutally murdered his 3 year old son on the way back from the first day of Limerick races. The next day James Daly, a fieldman at the racecourse, received such a severe blow from a stone that he died soon afterwards.
1868 The meeting was moved from mid-September to 13th and 14th October to a new venue at Ballinacurra, less than 2 miles from the city centre, on farm land owned by Mr Hogan, Mrs Burns, Mrs Dawson and Mrs Stokes. The new course did not meet with universal approval, with the Stewards actively pursuing a policy of abolishing the annual meeting. However, a committee of local businessmen were determined to ensure racing continued.
1869 Many improvements were made to the course, enlarging the running ground and altering the position of the stand-house and refreshment booths. Whilst all were dismayed by the loss of the Queens Prize, the main race, the Limerick £150 Steeplechase over 3 ½ miles, won by Viscount owned and ridden by Mr W Bell was deemed a success.
1870 & 1871 The main races at the Ballinacurra course were the Stewards Handicap, the Limerick Tradesmen’s Plate, the Garryowen Plate, the Munster Hunt Plate and the Ballinacurra Handicap.
1872 The 2 day meeting had a disappointingly low number of entrants, mainly as a consequence of late decision making of the Stewards who were undecided whether to continue to stage the meeting at Ballinacurra or move to King’s Island on land acquired by MP Major Gavin.
1873- 1877 No racing took place at Limerick
1878 In April Dr O’Sullivan had sought and received subscriptions of £150 to revive a meeting on the old Ballinacurra course in September. On Thursday 30th May 1878 Mr Waters, Chief Executive, met with Dr O’Sullivan and Mr Mulville to look at several possible locations for the formation of a new racecourse. A large number of local gentlemen promised to offer improved prize money, including one gentleman who guaranteed to sponsor a 300 guineas cup race. No race meeting was forthcoming.
1879 Dr O’Sullivan approached the Mayor, asking him to set up a public meeting with the express purpose of reviving Limerick races on a yet unspecified course. No race meeting was forthcoming.
1880 On Saturday 22nd May 1880 two rival race committees met at the Town Hall under the presidency of Mr Robert McDonnell, and agreed to work jointly towards the re-establishment of Limerick Steeplechases on a new course at Ballinacurra under the superintendence of Mr Waters. No race meeting was forthcoming.
The inaugural meeting on the new racecourse at Greenpark was due to be staged on Tuesday 13th October 1891, but was postponed due to inclement weather. A very large attendance of citizens of Limerick, together with people from Clare and Tipperary, ensured that the opening day on the new course was a success. There was a tremendous crush at the turnstiles, with officials struggling to take the cash fast enough, inevitably leading to many present not needing to trouble the turnstiles.
Wednesday 14th October 1881
Farmers' Steeplechase Plate (£30) over 3 miles
1. Maid of Tralee (evens fav) owned by Mr M De Courcey and ridden by Mr Phelan
2. CDC (2/1) owned by Mr J Sheehy and ridden by Lynch
3. The Rose (2/1) owned by Mr J Reidy and ridden by Lyons
Shannon Hunters Hurdle Plate (£40) over 2 miles
1. Otter (1/2 fav) owned by Mr C J Blake and ridden by W Beasley
2. Baccarat (5/1) owned by Mr E Beresford and ridden by C Hogan
3. Mount Gifford (8/1) owned by Mr T Byrne and ridden by Mr J Phelan
Stand Handicap Plate (£50) over 1 mile
1. Tyrant (1/2 fav) owned by Mr F F Cullen and ridden by P Lawlor
2. George Wire (5/2) owned by Mr R Pratt and ridden by T Doyle
3. May Moon (3/1) owned by Mr Mill and ridden by C Hogan
Tradesmen's Handicap Steeplechase Plate (£100) over 2 ½ miles
1. Brown Bess (4/7 fav) owned by Mr Maher and ridden by J Gurley
2. Widgeon (4/1) owned by Mr J Bourke and ridden by Mr M Harty
3. Brown Eyes (5/1) owned by Mr E P Ryan and ridden by C Hogan
Greenpark Plate (£60) over 2 miles
1. Wheedler (evens fav) owned and ridden by Mr P Colfer
2. Rockingham (4/1) owned by Captain Chapman and ridden by Mr J Widger
3. Driftwood (2/1) owned by Mr M Williams and ridden by Mr W Beasley
The Group 1 Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs, traditionally run on St Stephen’s Day, was first contested in 1993. A list of previous winners is shown below:-
1993 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Sullane River (11/8 fav) trained by David J McGrath and ridden by D H O’Connor, beating Royal Mountbrowne (5/2) trained by Patrick Kelly and ridden by Jason Titley, with Parson’s Brig (14/1) trained by J S Haldane and ridden by J P Broderick in third
1994 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Imperial Call (11/8) trained by Fergie Sutherland and ridden by G M O’Neill, beating Monalee River (5/4 fav) trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by K F O’Brien, with Front Line (7/2) trained by Jonjo O’Neill and ridden by Enda Bolger in third
1995 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Love The Lord (9/2) trained by Daniel O’Connell and ridden by Tommy Treacy, beating Lisselan Prince (13/8 fav) trained by Fergus Sutherland and ridden by Charlie Swan, with Back Bar I (2/1) trained by Arthur Moore and ridden by C O’Brien in third
1996 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Dun Belle (9/2) trained by P A Fahy and ridden by T J Mitchell, beating Ultra Flutter (evens fav) trained by Michael Hourigan and ridden by J P Broderick, with Woodville Star (3/1) trained by W J Burke and ridden by T Horgan in third
1997 -2000 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was not contested
2001 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Ellenjay (13/2) trained by Arthur Moore and ridden by Barry Cash, beating Copernicus (11/2) trained by P Hughes and ridden by John Cullen, with Risk Assessor (4/5 fav) trained by Christy Roche and ridden by P G Hourigan in third
2002 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Intelligent (9/2) trained by Jessica Harrington and ridden by Robbie Power, beating Barrow Drive (5/4 fav) trained by Anthony Mullins and ridden by Jamie Codd, with The Premier Cat (6/1) trained by Thomas Cahill and ridden by J R Barry in third
2003 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Hi Cloy (5/4 fav) trained by Michael Hourigan and ridden by Timmy Murphy, beating Stashedaway (6/1) trained by M J O’Brien and ridden by Danny Howard, with True Blue Victory (100/30) trained by Ted Walsh and ridden by G Cotter in third
2004 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Cane Break (2/1 fav) trained by David Wachman and ridden by M D Grant, beating Il En Reve (7/1) trained by S J Treacy and ridden by Michael Darcy, with Another Dollar (9/2) trained by Jessica Harrington and ridden by Ken Whelan in third
2005 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Baily Breeze (10/1) trained by Mouse Morris and ridden by Paddy Flood, beating Colijon (9/1) trained by Paul Nolan and ridden by Robbie Moran, with On The Net (5/2) trained by Eoghan O’Grady and ridden by Denis O’Regan in third
2006 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by One Cool Cookie (5/2) trained by Charlie Swan and ridden by Conor O’Dwyer, beating Kings Advocate (2/1 fav) trained by Tom Taaffe and ridden by S M McGovern, with Chicago Vic (4/1) trained by Emmet McNamara and ridden by Davy Condon in third
2007 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Merry Cowboy (16/1) trained by Eamonn Sheehy and ridden by Shane Flanagan, beating Finger On the Pulse (11/2) trained by Tom Taaffe and ridden by T G M Ryan, with Albanov (12/1) trained by Jessica Harrington and ridden by Tommy Treacy in third
2008 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Financial Reward (9/2) trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by David Casey, beating Top of the Rock (100/30 fav) trained by Jessica Harrington and ridden by Mark Bolger, with Rock Street (12/1) trained by Robert Tyner and ridden by Phillip Enright in third
2009 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Dancing Tornado (100/3) trained by Michael Hourigan and ridden by David Casey, beating River Liane (5/1) trained by Thomas Cooper and ridden by Mr M J O’Connor, with Oscar Looby (6/1) trained by Noel Meade and ridden by Emmet Mullins in third
2010 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Mr Cracker (9/4) trained by Michael Hourigan and ridden by Adrian Heskin, beating C’Est Ca (5/1) trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Emmet Mullins, with Kakagh (11/4) trained by W Harney and ridden by Mr Derek O’Connor in third
2011 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Sir Des Champs (4/7 fav) trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Emmet Mullins, beating Four Commanders (9/2) trained by Mouse Morris and ridden by Andrew McNamara, with Quietly Fancied (16/1) trained by O McKiernan and ridden by Mr R P Quinlan in third
2012 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Argocat (9/4) trained by Tom Taaffe and ridden by Andrew McNamara, beating Snooze (14/1) trained by Mrs S A Bramall and ridden by Ian McCarthy, with Far Away So Close (5/1) trained by Paul Nolan and ridden by Davy Russell in third
2013 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by The Paparrazi Kid (5/1) trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Emmet Mullins, beating Felix Younger (2/5 fav) trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, with Balnaslow (10/1) trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Patrick Mangan in third
2014 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Gilgamboa (7/4 fav) trained by Enda Bolger and ridden by Mark Walsh, beating Perfect Gentleman (16/1) trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Emmet Mullins, with Wounded Warrior (9/2) trained by Noel Meade and ridden by Davy Condon in third
2015 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Outlander (1/2 fav) trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by David Mullins, beating Avant Tout (6/1) trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Danny Mullins, with Free Expression (11/4) trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Kevin Sexton in third
2016 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Bellshill (4/9 fav) trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, beating Haymount (4/1) trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Patrick Mullins, with Attribution (12/1) trained by Henry De Bromhead and ridden by Phillip Enright in third
2017 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Dounikos (14/1) trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Andrew Ring, beating Tombstone (7/2) trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Keith Donoghue, with Arbre De Vie (10/1) trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Alexis Poirier in third
2018 The Greenmount Park Novice Chase over 2 miles 3 ½ furlongs was won by Hardline (9/2) trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Keith Donoghue, beating Getabird (8/15 fav) trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Ruby Walsh, with Riders on the Storm (25/1) trained by Tom Taaffe and ridden by J J Slevin in third
