When the Christmas buzz has passed, it’s lovely to have something to look forward to in the new year and beyond and a day at the races is something you can easily gift to a friend or family member. Most racecourses will happily issue an admission voucher, which can be used on any of their racedays, or you could throw in lunch at the track for not much more than €35 per person. It’s an unusual gift and one which will almost certainly bring a smile to the recipient’s face. For the more serious racing fanatic, annual membership of a racecourse represents even better value. Visit your local racecourse’s website for more details. In the meantime, here is a flavour of what’s available:
TRAMORE: €120 gets you admission to all 11 race meetings in 2019 plus free admission to 20 additional Irish race meetings. Other perks included for members.
Catherine Healy won the best-dressed lady prize at Tramore Races on one of its August racedays this year
NAVAN & FAIRYHOUSE: These two Co Meath tracks have come together to offer admission to all 40 racedays at the two venues for just €260. Members get access to exclusive facilities and also get admission to lots of other racedays at neighbouring tracks. Senior and student discounts available.
GO RACING IN KILDARE: A price of €320 may seem steep for this special badge but not when you consider the benefits. You get access to every meeting at Punchestown, the Curragh and Naas for the year. That’s at least 50 racedays, making the average cost less than €7. Not bad when you consider tickets for one day at the Punchestown Festival cost at least €30. Again, there are plenty of bonus features for members and there are discounts available for students and seniors.
Other gift ideas for those who love all things equine
1 Based in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, Dubarry is a global brand in clothing and footwear. Its Galway boot range (for both sexes) is not cheap at €370 per pair, but they are Goretex-lined and 100% waterproof. Available in five colours, you can nab a pair at their Grafton Street store in Dublin or on dubarry.com. We also like the look of the Dubarry Friel jacket (see main image above) for ladies (€349). It’s also Goretex-lined, multi-pocketed and available in three colours.
Dubarry Galway boots, €370
2 Irish Injured Jockeys was set up in 2014 to increase awareness and raise vital funds to support injured jockeys. Funds raised through Irish Injured Jockeys go to the injured riders who are in most need of support. You can support the charity this Christmas by buying merchandise from them on irishinjuredjockeys.com. The range starts from as little as €1.
The Irish Injured Jockeys have a range of products that would make ideal Christmas presents
3 Happy Headbangers in Blackrock, Co Dublin, specialise in selling novelty soft velour covers for sporting helmets. The fox and unicorn covers would be ideal for a child going hunting on horseback this Christmas. The €35 price includes an option to add the child’s name to the cover. See happyheadbangersclub.com for more information
happy Head Bangers Unicorn hat silk €35
4 Send a small amount of hair from your favourite horse to The Stamping Block in Ballina, Co Mayo, and for €20 they will encase the hair in resin and add sterling silver findings to make a very special present. See more on etsy.com or search for The Stamping Block on social media.
The Stamping Block handmade horse hair charms €20
5 British website hihosilver.co.uk offers a range of equestrian-themed jewellery, including this sterling silver chunky knot pendant with silver chain. £75. For the man in your life, they also offer sterling silver cherry roller cufflinks plated with 18ct rose gold for £70.
Sterling silver chunky knot pendant with silver chain £75
When the Christmas buzz has passed, it’s lovely to have something to look forward to in the new year and beyond and a day at the races is something you can easily gift to a friend or family member. Most racecourses will happily issue an admission voucher, which can be used on any of their racedays, or you could throw in lunch at the track for not much more than €35 per person. It’s an unusual gift and one which will almost certainly bring a smile to the recipient’s face. For the more serious racing fanatic, annual membership of a racecourse represents even better value. Visit your local racecourse’s website for more details. In the meantime, here is a flavour of what’s available:
TRAMORE: €120 gets you admission to all 11 race meetings in 2019 plus free admission to 20 additional Irish race meetings. Other perks included for members.
Catherine Healy won the best-dressed lady prize at Tramore Races on one of its August racedays this year
NAVAN & FAIRYHOUSE: These two Co Meath tracks have come together to offer admission to all 40 racedays at the two venues for just €260. Members get access to exclusive facilities and also get admission to lots of other racedays at neighbouring tracks. Senior and student discounts available.
GO RACING IN KILDARE: A price of €320 may seem steep for this special badge but not when you consider the benefits. You get access to every meeting at Punchestown, the Curragh and Naas for the year. That’s at least 50 racedays, making the average cost less than €7. Not bad when you consider tickets for one day at the Punchestown Festival cost at least €30. Again, there are plenty of bonus features for members and there are discounts available for students and seniors.
Other gift ideas for those who love all things equine
1 Based in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, Dubarry is a global brand in clothing and footwear. Its Galway boot range (for both sexes) is not cheap at €370 per pair, but they are Goretex-lined and 100% waterproof. Available in five colours, you can nab a pair at their Grafton Street store in Dublin or on dubarry.com. We also like the look of the Dubarry Friel jacket (see main image above) for ladies (€349). It’s also Goretex-lined, multi-pocketed and available in three colours.
Dubarry Galway boots, €370
2 Irish Injured Jockeys was set up in 2014 to increase awareness and raise vital funds to support injured jockeys. Funds raised through Irish Injured Jockeys go to the injured riders who are in most need of support. You can support the charity this Christmas by buying merchandise from them on irishinjuredjockeys.com. The range starts from as little as €1.
The Irish Injured Jockeys have a range of products that would make ideal Christmas presents
3 Happy Headbangers in Blackrock, Co Dublin, specialise in selling novelty soft velour covers for sporting helmets. The fox and unicorn covers would be ideal for a child going hunting on horseback this Christmas. The €35 price includes an option to add the child’s name to the cover. See happyheadbangersclub.com for more information
happy Head Bangers Unicorn hat silk €35
4 Send a small amount of hair from your favourite horse to The Stamping Block in Ballina, Co Mayo, and for €20 they will encase the hair in resin and add sterling silver findings to make a very special present. See more on etsy.com or search for The Stamping Block on social media.
The Stamping Block handmade horse hair charms €20
5 British website hihosilver.co.uk offers a range of equestrian-themed jewellery, including this sterling silver chunky knot pendant with silver chain. £75. For the man in your life, they also offer sterling silver cherry roller cufflinks plated with 18ct rose gold for £70.
Sterling silver chunky knot pendant with silver chain £75
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