Bellewstown relaunches centuries old Majesty’s Cup

Bellewstown Racecourse is playing its part in attempting to improve Irish-British relations by relaunching His Majesty's Cup race, in association with the British Embassy here, which will run at tomorrow's rescheduled race meeting there.

This race dates back to March 1800 when George Tandy, a Lord Mayor of Drogheda, headed a successful delegation to petition the Duke of Richmond for an annual subscription of 100 guineas towards the race, leading to the creation of the annual King’s/Majesty’s Cup. It continued until 1980.

As the anniversary of the Belfast Peace Agreement approaches, Bellewstown chairman Jack Gogarty this week stated that the racecourse is "very proud of its long and enduring association with His Majesty’s Cup race".

He acknowledged the British Embassy's work in reinstating this race, highlighting the close relationship between horse racing and the monarchy.

"The race will be part of a great day’s racing at Bellewstown and will be warmly welcomed by the many British and Irish race goers who attend race meetings annually. We are delighted that the race coincides with the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.”

The British Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston said: "The reinstatement of His Majesty’s Cup race highlights another example of the deep and enduring UK-Ireland connections in horse racing. Our peoples have a shared passion for horses and racing, highlighted by her late majesty, the Queen’s visit to the National Stud in 2011, and, most recently, the visit last year by the Duchess of Cornwall (now Queen Consort) to Henry de Bromhead’s stables in 2022, where she met Rachael Blackmore, a regular jockey on the Bellewstown course.

"It is fantastic to see His Majesty’s Cup being run again for the first time in over 40 years, especially just a few weeks before King Charles’ coronation, and as we approach Bellewstown Racecourse’s 300th anniversary in 2026.”

Both the British Embassy and Bellewstown Racecourse state that they are extremely grateful to Gartlan Furey LLP who have sponsored the race. Dermot Furey, managing partner of Gartlan Furey, expressed his delight to be associated with such a special race, especially at this important time for building relationships between the people of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

"As someone born in Laytown it is extra special for our firm to play a part in the relaunch of this historic race in Bellewstown where I went racing many times in my youth.”

Horse Racing Ireland has announced that the Bellewstown meeting, which was scheduled for last Saturday but was cancelled due to waterlogging, will now take place this Thursday afternoon, 6th April. The time of the first race will be 1.20pm.