Laytown 2010

By Caitriona Fenton

It is not often that one willingly finds themselves on a beach in head- to- toe raingear, however today I was more than happy to do so. It is that time of year again and the annual Laytown beach meeting is underway!

It is safe to say that a day out at the races in Laytown is unlike any other. This is because it is the only officially approved beach racing held in Europe and is a national treasure worth being proud of. Some records claim the races date back as far as 1868 when they were held as an extra attraction to the Boyne regatta that took place annually. Another interesting fact is that Charles Stuart Parnell of Home Rule fame was one of the first stewards. After 1901 the races became more of an organised fixture of the racing calendar and there has been a meeting every year since.

The race always takes place in the month of September however the date of the meeting is different every year as it depends on the tide. Previous to 1994 the course was laid out in ‘U’ shape like a regular track with distances of up to two miles however an accident at the track resulted in much needed safety measures being put into place. Now the races are held on a straight track of distances of six and seven furlongs and all of the betting facilities and enclosures are in an elevated site beside the beach.

All of these differences really make for a great day out but what I really enjoy about the day is how up close and personal you really get to the race and the horses. It is the only track where you can be so close as to feel the rush of wind as the horses thunder past on the wet sand. Although this year’s weather might not have been ideal the setting really is postcard perfect.

This year’s six race card began with the Balmarina Handicap of 6f. Hello Man was the 10/1 winner ridden by Gary Carroll who came in to beat Mt. Weather by 2½ lengths while the heavily backed favourite Richelieu came in ninth place to the dismay of the punters.

The Gilna’s Cottage Inn maiden was off at five thirty and saw the Dermot Weld trained 5/2 favourite Northern Rocked come in first place. Jockey Pat Smullen showed true style as he stayed on to beat Prayer Boat who came in second.

The third race of the day was the Claiming race. The race was very close and saw the Ger Lyons trained Cosmic Breeze stay on to beat Full Title by a short head under jockey Keegan Latham. The 9/4 favourite Romeos on Fire who was also trained by Lyons came in disappointing third place.

The next race of the day was the Qualified Riders race and it was a battle of the top amateurs. Robbie McNamara came in first place aboard He’s Got Rhythm to beat the 4/1 joint favourite Qadar under Katie Walsh, both were trained by David Marnane.

The O’Neills Sports Handicap was off at seven as the rain was finally letting up. Under Review was the 20/1 winner with Seamie Heffernan aboard. Heffernan can add this picturesque win to his tally of great wins recently. He held on to beat Diamond Fire by ¾ of a length. Again the bookies must have been happy as the 9/4 favourite arrived home in ninth place.

The last race of this unique day was the Hibernia Steel (QR) race and it proved successful for trainer Ger Lyons who gained his second win of the day with Dunne Grand and Andrew Duff who also won this race last year, and who knows what the coming years will bring for this special day at the races!

By Caitriona Fenton