All the fun of the seaside when Laytown races return next month

Laytown Races are under starters orders for the famous beach race meeting, which will take place on Laytown Strand on Thursday 8th September with the first race going to post at 4.50pm.

The Laytown Races 2022 launch will take place at 8pm in Gilna’s The Cottage Inn, Laytown, on Thursday 25th August and all local residents and racegoers are welcome.

Legendary race commentator Des Scahill will act as MC and will bring guests through Laytown’s exciting plans for the unique race meeting on Thursday 8th September.

The Pride of Place Maiden has become a firm favourite at Laytown since its introduction at the 2019 race meeting.

At the launch event the draw will take place to randomly allocate the local housing estates /residential areas with a horse in the race – a maximum of 10 horses will run.

The estate matched to the first horse home in the race will win a €400 voucher for Pat’s Nurseries, Laytown and the runner-up will win a €300 voucher for Black’s Garden Centre in Julianstown which can be used by residents to enhance their estate or Laytown village with plants, flowers, or trees.

Representatives of the winning resident groups will be invited into the parade ring for a special presentation after the race.

This September will see Laytown Races expand the food court area that was successfully introduced at the 2019 fixture. Racegoers will enjoy an improved and expanded food and beverage offering along with a new seating area.

The Laytown Race Committee are delighted to engage with the pupils of Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh and Scoil Oilibheir Naofa national schools with a racing colouring competition.

The pupils will receive their colouring competition templates when the new school term starts at the end of the month.

The colouring competition entries will be displayed in the Laytown Races enclosure on race day. Entries will be judged on three age categories - four to six year olds, seven to nine year olds and 10-years-old and upwards.

Scotch Hall Shopping Centre in Drogheda will sponsor gift cards for each category as follows: first prize €100, second prize €50 and €25 for third prize.

“We are really looking forward to Laytown Races this September with no restrictions. The committee members and I are always keen to constantly engage with the local community and give the best experience possible to all our racegoers," said chairman of Laytown Races Joe Collins.

"So, in addition to the unique races on the beach, we are excited to introduce the new and improved food court.

"We hope the colouring competition will provide a platform where the pupils of Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh and Scoil Oilibheir Naofa can learn more about horses in a child-centred way.

"The Pride of Place Maiden has gone from strength to strength and allows us to give a little bit back to residents who have always been so supportive of the Laytown Races.

“Tickets are available to buy online at www.laytownstrandraces.ie – and anyone who buys their tickets online will be entered into a draw to win four tickets, race cards and food court vouchers for our 2023 meeting.”

Regular buses and trains will run to Laytown on the day and while public transport is strongly recommended there are also three free public parking areas on race day – one beside the train station, the field car park opposite Gilna’s The Cottage Inn, in Laytown village and the roundabout car park at Tara Road. A free shuttle bus will also run from the train station and Tara Road car parks to the racecourse enclosure.

Full details are available on www.laytownstrandraces.ie