Horse Racing Ireland held the last of a run of six successful schools education days at Gowran Park Racecourse on Tuesday last. This initiative brought the education days to the following race courses: Dundalk, Navan, Limerick, Naas, Cork, and Gowran.
About 300 children from local schools Goresbridge National School, St Mary’s Primary School, Scoil Náisiúnta Padraig Naofa, Bennettsbridge National School, Borris Mixed National School, and Thomastown National School were brought by bus to Gowran and enjoyed talks and demonstrations from in-form trainer John ‘Shark’ Hanlon along with his horse Our Glen and jump jockey John Cullen, who brought the children through the daily life of a jockey, including the many highs and lows.
The race simulator and instructors were once again on hand to the delight of the children who were also brought out on the track by Gowran Park foreman Pat Walsh and manager Margaret Fogarty. The children have been invited back with their parents and teachers for racing this Saturday, November 20 (all children under 18 go free, first race is at 12.45pm ).
“The racing education day was a superb success and it was great to have so many local children visit us and get a feel for racing – from the jockey, trainer, and racecourse perspective,” said Margaret Fogarty, general manager at Gowran Park. “The racehorse simulator was a particular success – with many future ‘Ruby Walshes’ trying their hand on board. Even a few teachers joined in. Children under 18 are free to enter racing at Gowran Park so we’d like to encourage our future racegoers with these types of initiatives.”
