Tramore all set for August racing festival extravaganza
The four days of the popular Tramore races gets underway at the seaside track this evening.
The surf will meet the turf this week for the highly anticipated four-day Tramore August racing festival at the seaside track that gets underway on this Thursday, August 15, with a seven-race National Hunt card featuring the Waterford FC handicap hurdle.
With the local track teaming up with the local football club to add to the sporting occasion at the track on the opening night, the meeting is sure to attract visitors from near and far where racing chiefs will be hoping for so kind weather ahead of their main Style evening meeting on Saturday.
There’s no doubting that there is something special about the Tramore August Festival that brings young and old to the historic track where many of the top owners, trainers and jockeys will feature for three National hunt meetings and the all-flat card on Saturday that was rained off in 2023.
With racecourse manager Owen Byrne trying to enhance the raceday experience year on year, the course have teamed up with O’Driscoll’s Irish Whiskey who are set to join the racecourse as their title sponsor of the festival marquee as well as a race sponsor on Saturday August 17. The partnership will also include O’Driscoll’s Irish Whiskey entering into a pouring rights agreement with Tramore Racecourse for 2024/25.
The four-day festival gets underway when gates open at 4pm on Thursday August 15 with a National Hunt card featuring the Waterford FC Handicap Hurdle and sees the racecourse partner with Waterford Football Club to add to the sporting occasion. American musician’s The 19th Street Band will provide the entertainment in the enclosure.
Friday 16 is Tramore’s barbeque night with delicious barbeque options available, while Richie Hayes and his band will keep racegoers entertained after racing. On the track, there is another seven-race jumps card on offer, with the Assembly Tech Mares Handicap Hurdle, the highlight race on the card. Gates open at 3:30pm on Friday with the first race at 5pm.
Fashion takes centre stage on Saturday for the Lyrath Estate Hotel style evening. Celebrity judge, Christine Murphy from Urban Aran will be on hand to pick the most stylish person on the night and the winner will walk away with a two-night stay at the stunning Lyrath Estate Hotel, which includes breakfast, dinner on one evening, spa vouchers and €1000 spending money.
Papa Zitas will provide live music in the enclosures while there will be seven exciting Flat races on the track with the Core Bullion Traders rated race as the headline. Gates open at 3pm on Saturday.
Gates open at 12 noon for family fun day, the centre piece of the August Festival finale. Families can enjoy plenty of fun together with clowns, face painting and a host of games and activities. Racegoers will be treated to a thrilling National Hunt card with the Victoria House Tramore Mares Beginners Chase taking top billing.
Commenting on the four-day meeting, racecourse manager Owen Byrne: “Our August Festival is the pinnacle of our fixture list so we can’t wait to welcome racegoers to Tramore over the four days. We have plenty on offer for both the racing aficionados and those who enjoy a great social occasion with friends and family.
“We are really proud to partner with O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey and their festival marquee is really going to elevate the social experience for all our patrons. Corporate hospitality is selling fast but we have some great value bundles on offer – you can still book tickets or hospitality on our website www.tramoreraces.ie” Michael Stafford, Managing Director of O’Driscoll’s Irish Whiskey commented: “We are delighted to be part of the upcoming Tramore August Festival and look forward to welcoming so many racegoers to our festival marquee over the four days. Tramore has always been a very enjoyable place to watch racing and we look forward to working with the Tramore team and build on this exciting new partnership.”
Tickets are €25 for adults and €20 for students and seniors. Children under 16 are free when accompanied by an adult.
The €39pp punter pack (group of five or more) includes admission, race card, €6 drinks voucher, food voucher which can be used at any of our casual food outlets, Dooly’s fish & chips or the public bistro. There is limited hospitality available. To book tickets or hospitality, visit www.tramoreraces.ie A free shuttle bus will operate 1.5 hours before and after racing to/from Tramore town on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Bus Eireann’s normal service will leave Waterford city every 20 minutes to Tramore.
Live music has always been a feature of the Tramore August festival and this year we are delighted to announce three very special acts that will join us. All the way from the USA the 19th Street band will join us on Thursday night, Friday night sees Richie Hayes and his band take to the stage while on Saturday night we are delighted to welcome Papa Zitas. Live music kicks off each evening in the O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Festival Marquee at 8pm.
We’ll have all the reports, reaction, and photography from the four days in next week’s Waterford News & Star in what promises to be another August racing festival to remember. BRING IT ON!
