Curtain comes down on an incredible four-day Tramore August Festival

The curtain came down on Tramore Racecourse’s four-day August Festival on Sunday with an entertaining seven-race National Hunt card providing a fitting finale to one of the highlights of the south-east racing calendar. Run on good ground in pleasant conditions, the meeting attracted strong support and produced a series of competitive contests, with Louiescall, Ina Mina and La Note Verte among the standout winners on the day.

The opening Tramore Directors Maiden Hurdle went the way of the David Harry Kelly-trained Louiescall, who produced a determined display under Daniel King to claim top honours. Sent off at 9/2, the five-year-old was always travelling strongly and, after regaining the lead following the second-last flight, stayed on gamely to defeat the Willie Mullins-trained Speed For Fun by a length. Gordon Elliott’s Ivatt filled third place after keeping on from off the pace.

Speaking after the race, Kelly admitted the victory carried extra significance after the horse had endured disappointment at the festival 12 months earlier. Connections had targeted the meeting and their patience was rewarded as Louiescall delivered an impressive performance to open proceedings. The victory marked another notable success for the local trainer and ensured the festival finale got off to an ideal start.

The Frank Gillane Memorial Handicap Hurdle produced another commanding performance as Ina Mina continued her rich vein of form. Trained by Terence O’Brien and ridden by John P. Shinnick, the mare travelled sweetly throughout before asserting her superiority approaching the closing stages. Having moved to the front before halfway, she was always travelling comfortably and kicked clear after the second-last hurdle to score readily from Lanzhou, while Colesberg finished third.

Starting as the 3/1 favourite, Ina Mina was registering back-to-back hurdle victories following her recent success at Cork and once again showed her affection for the Tramore circuit. O’Brien afterwards praised the five-year-old and suggested she would continue to alternate between hurdling and Flat racing for the remainder of the campaign. The mare has now developed into a reliable performer for the TerenceOBrien Racing Syndicate and looks capable of continuing her upward progress.

The third race on the programme, the Frank King Memorial Maiden Hurdle, maintained the competitive nature of the afternoon as a number of unexposed runners sought a breakthrough victory. Maiden hurdles are often among the most informative races of the season and Sunday’s renewal was no exception, with several promising performers putting down markers for future engagements.

One of the most eagerly anticipated contests on the card was the Victoria House Tramore Mares’ Beginners Chase over two miles and six furlongs. With Willie Mullins responsible for several of the market principals, many expected the champion trainer to dominate proceedings, and that prediction proved accurate. However, there was little between the leading contenders before La Note Verte ultimately emerged on top under J.J. Slevin.

The 13/8 favourite showed plenty of determination after the second-last fence to gain the upper hand over stable companion Future Prospect, who had also travelled strongly throughout. Another Mullins representative, Straight Home, completed the placings to hand the Closutton handler a clean sweep of the first three positions. It was an emphatic statement of strength from the Mullins yard and a performance that suggested the winner has a bright future over fences.

Attention then turned to the McCarthy’s Irish Bar Lexington Handicap Chase, where experienced campaigners and progressive types battled for valuable prize money over an extended trip. Such races have become a popular feature of Tramore’s summer jumping programme and regularly provide clues for races later in the season. The festival crowd remained engaged throughout as the competitive action continued into the evening.

The Heinz Pollmeier Memorial Handicap Chase followed and presented a different challenge over the sharper distance of just under two miles. Accurate jumping and tactical pace proved vital around the tight Tramore circuit, with riders seeking to gain every possible advantage in one of the final opportunities of the festival. The race added further excitement to an afternoon that consistently delivered quality entertainment. The curtain finally fell on the festival with the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares’ INH Flat Race. Traditionally, these bumper contests provide a glimpse of future jumping talent and Sunday’s renewal was no different, with several well-related mares making their racecourse debuts. For trainers and racegoers alike, the closing contest offered an intriguing look ahead to the seasons to come.

As the crowds departed the seaside venue, organisers could reflect on another successful August Festival. Across the four days, the meeting again attracted strong support and showcased some of the best of Irish National Hunt racing. Sunday’s finale delivered a worthy conclusion, with Louiescall, Ina Mina and La Note Verte all producing performances of real substance. Their victories ensured the 2026 August Festival ended on a high note and reinforced Tramore’s reputation as one of Ireland’s most popular summer racing destinations.