Listowel Races are hosting their first full public summer fixture since 2019 this June Bank Holiday and there is a huge sense of anticipation and excitement as this historic and scenic course gets ready to welcome back racegoers to an action packed and fun filled meeting.
So don’t miss out … here is what you need to know … before you go … racing in Listowel this June Bank Holiday Weekend!
NEW extra day’s racing . . . Saturday 4th of June
It’s now a THREE day Summer Race meeting - from Saturday 4th to Monday 6th of June - with a new, extra day’s racing on Saturday! To celebrate welcoming everyone back on course, on Saturday only, admission to the races will be only €10! In this day and age, this is amazing value for an action packed afternoon of racing and musical entertainment. The first race is at 1.05pm and there are 8 races on the card and the Feature Race is the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden of €25,000
Ladies Day is Sunday 5th of June . . . and is judged by fashion blogger, Emily O’Donoghue, @fashionablyfortyish, with a total prize fund of €1,000 in cash!
This year, Ladies Day is extra special as the Race Company and the people and traders of Listowel town remember a dedicated racer goer and follower of fashion, the wonderful Betty McGrath.
In Betty’s honour, there will be a dedicated prize for the Most Fashion Forward Headpiece on ladies day!
Our judge, Emily will be looking for a headpiece that has real personality and style just like Betty who loved colour, creativity and always had fun with fashion. Prizes will be co-sponsored by friends and traders of Listowel town. The winner will receive €250 and a specially created headpiece by multi award winning Listowel based milliner, Aoife Hannon. The winner will be announced and the presentation made in the Parade Ring after the 5th race.
The wonderful Betty McGrath been interviewed by Marietta Doran when she won the Most Stylish Hat at the Listowel Races in 2019 (Pix : MacMonagle)
The 6th race on Sunday is the Betty McGrath Memorial Handicap.
Dress to impress . . . everything you need to know about ladies day this June Bank Holiday at Listowel Races
Ladies Day Judge - Emily O’Donoghue, @fashionablyfortyish
FANTASTIC CASH PRIZES AND MORE …
It’s time to dust down the guna … or treat yourself to a gorgeous new outfit - and dress up and head out for a day of fashion and fun at Listowel Races. A good style tip is to dress for yourself and your own unique fashion personality and to feel comfortable in what you are wearing! As it’s Ladies Day - you do need to dress from ‘head to toe’ - so consider a headpiece (from a hat, to a fascinator to a stylish bow or pretty embellished headband) and dress for the season . . . wear colour or print - and celebrate summertime!
The winner of the Best Dressed Lady will receive €500 and the first runner up €250. The winner of the Most Fashion Forward Headpiece in memory of Betty McGrath will receive €250 plus a beautiful Aoife Hannon headpiece (details above)
Dress up and have fun with print and colour … Helena and Grace show us how !
The Ladies Day Judge, Emily O’Donoghue, really adores fashion . . . and she will be out and about on the course looking at all the style from approx 1.45pm and will select 10 finalists who will be invited back to the Brendan Daly Bar for final judging. The overall winners will be announced in the Parade Ring after the 5th Race. Keep an eye on Listowel Races social media for snapshots of the style throughout the afternoon.
Of course . . . it’s not just for Ladies! Our production director, Ray Stack looking very dapper (Pix: JK Photography)
Racing continues on Monday and the Feature Race is the Bryan MacMahon Handicap Hurdle of €22,000.
ENJOY THE SUMMER FESTIVAL AMBIENCE
There is a real festival atmosphere in Listowel this bank holiday weekend, as the town also hosts the celebrated 51st Listowel Writers Week.
With mild, dry weather promised, take some time to stroll around the town and enjoy the many wonderful bars, restaurants, boutiques and coffee shops!
So how can you … BE PART OF IT! This is how you get tickets to Listowel Races!
Tickets can be purchased now online on listowelraces.ie or at the turnstiles just like the good olde days (and they also accept card tap payments too as well as cash). Saturday: Special admission price of €10. Sunday and Monday: €15.
Follow #listowelraces on social media for lots of exclusive updates.
For more information on things to do, see, eat and drink in Listowel - visit listowel.ie
Click here for full programme for Listowel Writers Week
See you there !