Under starter's orders for Munster National Weekend at Limerick Racecourse

LOCAL horse racing enthusiasts are looking forward to the Munster National Weekend over this coming weekend, Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19 at Limerick Racecourse.

Last year, local trainer Eric McNamara was victorious with Real Steel winning the Munster National under the stewardship of jockey Danny Mullins.

BoyleSports continue their main sponsorship of the weekend festival as a part of a multi years sponsorship deal.

First run in 2001 and one of the feature races of Limerick’s annual racing calendar, the JT McNamara Munster National continues to attract high quality handicap chasers, with Tiger Roll starring on its roll of honour having triumphed in 2016.

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This Saturday, October 18 it is also Ladies Day with prizes for the Most Stylish Lady and Most Stylish Couple in association with the Holman Lee Agency and with high profile influencers attending also on the day.

Then on Sunday it’s the main event with the BoyleSports JT McNamara Munster National centre stage.

Also, on Sunday, the much-anticipated JP McManus Charity Sweepstake will take place with 16 local charities benefiting to the tune of €40,000. The charity matched to the winning horse benefitting from a €20,000 donation. The second and third place will receive €3,000 and €2,000 respectively and each of the remaining charities will also receive a €1,000 donation to put towards a specific project or initiative.

Limerick Racecourse have also given each charity 100 complimentary admission tickets which they can sell to supporters which will potentially generate another €32,000 for these charities.

There are still Private suites and Restaurant spaces available on both days and these can be booked by calling 061 320000 or emailing events@limerickraces.ie

General admission tickets are on sale now with early bird deals at limerickraces.ie. Complimentary buses will also operate from Limerick City to the Racecourse and back to the city after racing.

Limerick racecourse opened in October 2001 to a record crowd of 18,000. It is the first purpose built racecourse in Ireland for 50 years and has exceptional modern facilities in the Hugh McMahon Stand.

Greenmount Park is the seventh different location for racing in Co Limerick since the first recorded fixtures in 1790. It's predecessors were Bruff, Rathkeale, Newcastle, Lemonfield, Ballinacurra and Greenpark. The previous course at Greenpark closed in 1999 having held racing for 130 years.

Michael Lynch, CEO of Limerick Racecourse, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our associations with both BOYLE Sports and JP and Noreen McManus for the Munster National Weekend Festival and Charitable Sweepstake.

“The BOYLE Sports Munster National weekend is an important part of our growing racing business and one we are keen to continuously develop and improve.

“The winning of last year's Munster National by local trainer Eric McNamara’s Real Steel and jockey Danny Mullins created a fantastic and memorable atmosphere for all attendees.”

Liam McKee, Head of Sponsorship at BOYLE Sports, said: “We are delighted to continue our sponsorship of the Munster National and reinforce our commitment to Irish racing. It’s a race that always attracts a field of high-quality horses and we can’t wait to see how it plays out on October 19.

“It’s also fantastic to see that JP and Noreen McManus are continuing their support of the charitable sweepstake on the race and I’m sure the benefitting charities will continue their amazing work with the generous donations.”