Navan Racing Festival Is Back In Town

Preparations for next weekend’s Navan Racing Festival are well underway with entries for the historic Bar One Racing Troytown Chase released and the weights published. Ahead of the Festival, Navan Racecourse has engaged in an increased number of initiatives with local communities.

The racecourse welcomed their members, racing fans and the racing press last Wednesday morning as local trainers Gordon Elliott, Gavin Cromwell and Noel Meade galloped many of their stars. Navan Racecourse general manager Ciaran Flynn was delighted to see those in attendance engaging in an exclusive Q&A session with each trainer in the famed Arkle Bar, an event hosted by Meath native and Deputy Irish Editor of the Racing Post, David Jennings.

The Free Shuttle bus scheme from Navan Town to the racecourse will be available for both days of the Navan Racing Festival. The service will commence at 10am from Fairgreen, and the first 100 shuttle bus passengers will receive a complimentary Balreask Bar Bacon Butty, a racecard and an O’Driscolls Irish Whisky Irish Coffee voucher, which will be redeemable in the new O’Driscolls Bar and Coffee Shop at the racecourse.

Duleek native Ciaran Flynn Navan Racecourse Manager said: “Everyone at Navan Racecourse is hugely excited about the upcoming weekend and we all look forward to what should be a great few days for the racecourse and Navan Town.

"We are hugely encouraged by the strong early sales and the interest the Navan Racing Festival is generating locally. In working with our brilliant pub partners in and round the town, our sponsors along with the assistance of Failte Ireland and Boyne Valley tourism we hope that everyone will see the benefit of what should be a busy weekend.”

In bringing Navan Town to the centre of all the festival plans, Navan Racecourse has worked with many local bars, businesses and community groups on a number of initiatives that has resulted in strong pre-sales for the Navan Racing Festival which will in turn boost footfall to Navan town with racegoers encouraged to visit the town centre to celebrate what will be two very memorable racing days.

A full list of pubs, bars and hot spots in Navan Town are available on the Navan Racecourse website. Both The Round O and Bective Stud and Tea Rooms are offering a breakfast package over the weekend.

The racecourse is also inviting all the shops in Navan Town to participate in a “We are PROUDStown” Shop Window Dressing competition and all shops that dress their windows in a horse racing theme will receive four complimentary tickets to the Navan Racing Festival on a day of their choice.

Along with the historic Bar One Racing Troytown Chase on Sunday, November 17, Navan Racecourse will also host the launch of the Treo Eile Christmas Show with a parade of retrained racehorses including dual Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo, Welsh National winner Raz De Maree and multiple graded winner Woodland Opera. The racecourse is also delighted to welcome Masterson, the Royal Meath Show Ridden Thoroughbred Class Champion. The parade will take place before the John Lynch Carpets Monksfield Hurdle at 1pm.