Memorable local success on thrilling opening day of Limerick Christmas Racing Festival

THERE was a notable local success on the opening day of the big Mr Binman Limerick Christmas Racing Festival when Missiee landed the Mr Binman Mares Handicap Hurdle at Greenmount Park on St Stephen's Day.

Missiee is trained by Athea handler Eoin McCarthy and the 6/1 shot was ridden to victory in front of a bumper attendance by exciting Newcastle West jockey Gary Noonan.

The winner, scoring his fourth success on the track, proved two lengths two good for runner-up Carrig Carol at the end of the two-and-a-half mile contest at the Limerick track.

Successful jockey Noonan, who attended RACE in Co Kildare, partnered his first winner on the track at Listowel in 2019 on Sand Fly for trainer Paddy Neville.

Winning trainer McCarthy rode 26 winners as a jockey and began training under a restricted licence in 2011. While he saddled winners in the point-to-point field, his first success as a trainer on the racecourse came at Thurles on November 2017. 

A large attendance thronged the enclosures on the opening day of the four-day festival at Limerick Racecourse.

The feature race on the track, the Grade 1 Guinness Faugheen Novice Steeplechase, was won by the 4/5 favourite Gerri Colombe for trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Jordan Gainford. The exciting winner was extending his unbeaten record.

With over €500,000 in prize money on offer, racegoers are promised four days of top-class jumps racing at the Limerick venue.

Day two of the Mr Binman Limerick Christmas Racing Festival, December 27, features the Grade 2 The Lyons of Limerick Jaguar Land Rover Doran’s Pride Novice Hurdle.

The opening race on an exciting card due off at 12.19pm.

Wednesday December 28 focuses on the Grade 2 McMahons Builders Providers EBF Dawn Run Mares Chase while the Grade 2 Coolmore Stud Sporting Limerick Hurdle is the grand finale on Thursday December 29.

Celia Holman Lee will host the sustainable fashion event on Wednesday December 28. Ladies and gents are encouraged to show their sustainable fashion ingenuity to win some of the cash prizes on offer. 

Family fun day takes centre stage on the final day of the festival, Thursday December 29 and junior racegoers will be treated to a host of entertainment and activities such as balloon art modelling, arts and crafts, face-painting, a kiddie disco and meet and greets with their favourite cartoon characters.

A fun fair will be in situ for each day of the festival along with live music in the Guinness Marquee while a DJ will keep racegoers entertained in the Tote Hall.

Visit racecourse website at www.limerickraces.ie to book tickets and for further information.