Did you think the summer was over? Well you’re wrong. The summer doesn’t officially pack its bags until the end of the annual Listowel Racing Festival.
There might be a nip in the air now, and the evenings, as they say, are beat, but that doesn't mean you can't squeeze one last drop of craic out of the summer season.
And the best place to do that is the Listowel Racing Festival from September 15-21. The 2013 Festival, which also marks the end of the Flat racing season, is a very special one as the Kerry track celebrates 155 years of racing at the venue.
Listowel is a stamina-sapping seven-day affair but it sounds like they need every hour of that week to fit in all the stuff that's happening.
The first priority, of course, is the on-track action and highlights during the week include the legendary €160,000 Guinness Kerry National Handicap Chase on Wednesday September 18, the €40,000 Guinness Handicap Hurdle on Thursday September 19 and the Listowel Races Supporters Club Sponsored Race ‘The Slan Abhaile” on Saturday September 21.
But if you're more into the catwalk than the paddock, then there's lots for you too. There's a massive €9,000 prize fund for the Chic Boutique Ladies Day on Friday September 20 and the lads haven't been ignored wither, with the Moriarty’s Best Dressed Man competition on Thursday September 19, so it is well worth making a special effort if you are Kerry bound next week.
And once the action is over at the track, there's lots more happening in Listowel too. Those clever people have timed the race meeting to coincide with the Listowel Harvest celebration, meaning the party continues every night. With street entertainment, busking competitions and live music you won't be stuck for post-race entertainment.
Sounds like you can't go wrong if you head to Listowel next week so here's all you need to know about each day.
Sunday 15th September
Kerry Group and Family Day
: First race- 2.30pm Free: Amusements and pet farm
Feature race – The Dawn Milk Handicap Steeplechase
Monday 16th September:
First race- 3.45pm
Feature race – The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Premier Nursery Handicap
Tuesday 17th September:
First race- 3.05pm
Feature race – The Listowel Races Supporters Club Lartigue Hurdle
Wednesday 18th September
Guinness Kerry National Day:
First race- 2.25pm
Feature race – The €160,000 Guinness Kerry National Chase
Thursday 19th September
Moriarty’s Drapery Best Dressed Man Competition:
First race- 2.35pm
Feature race – The Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle
Friday 20th September
Chic Boutique Ladies Day:
First race 2.25pm
Feature race – The Guinness Handicap
Saturday 21st September
First race- 1.55pm
Feature race – The M.J. Carroll ARRO Handicap Hurdle
