Listowel pupil meeting Jekiki at Listowel Racecourse. Photo Healy Racing.
Pupils from local Dromclough National School enjoy their day at the racecourse for Horse Racing Ireland Kids’ Day with trainer Eoin McCarthy and Jekiki. Photo Healy Racing.
With the countdown to the 2025 Listowel Harvest Festival underway, the racing fans of the future recently enjoyed a fun visit to Listowel Racecourse as part of Horse Racing Ireland’s (HRI) Racing Juniors tour.
School children from Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail, Scoil Réalta na Maidine, Presentation Primary School and Dromclough National School in Listowel took part in the event that saw 140 fifth and sixth class primary school children go behind the scenes at the track.
The pupils met racehorse trainer Eoin McCarthy and his racehorse, Jekiki. Eric explained what his job entails as well as a typical day-to-day routine for his race horses in terms of their exercise schedule, diet, and how he prepares them to run in a race.
Jockey Calum Hogan brought the children into the weight room to show them the jockeys’ changing facilities and the kit jockeys wear and use on race days including boots, back-protector, helmet and saddle.
Head Groundsman Dan O’Connell then took the children out on course to see first-hand how the team prepare the track for race meetings and all the machinery and equipment to maintain the racing surface.
“We were delighted to host our HRI Juniors education day and welcome so many enthusiastic and interested pupils,” said Listowel Races Chairman, Maurice Carroll.
He said HRI Juniors education days are a wonderful opportunity for the next generation of racegoers to learn about horse racing and see behind the scenes of a racecourse.
“They can 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,” Mr Carroll said.
HRI Racing Juniors education days encourages pupils to forge an affinity with racehorses 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: hriracingjuniors@hri.ie.