Listowel launch full Harvest Racing Programme
Forever in Blue Jeans, sponsored by O'Connors Hardware and Farm Supplies returns on Monday 23rd of September with cash prizes. Photographed are model Tulasi, judge Timmy Dowd and sponsor Larry O'Connor. Photo MacMonagle
Listowel Race Company has announced their action-packed programme for the forthcoming Harvest Racing Festival from Sunday 22nd to Saturday 28th of September. Celebrating 166 years of top-quality racing at the scenic course in Listowel, this year Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday are all National Hunt meetings and Monday & Tuesday feature an all-flat race card. Off the race course, there is something for everyone of all ages including five fashion competitions; exceptional free children’s entertainment with a petting farm and top live music acts including the return of ABBA Waterloo! PLUS the ‘Save your Heels, We’ve got Wheels’ free double-decker bus is back on Ladies Day!
So what’s happening every day at Listowel Races this September?
Free Family Fun and Sensational Style on the opening Sunday 22nd September
The opening day’s card is sponsored by Kerry Group and the feature race is the Kerry Group Handicap Steeplechase €45,000.
Sunday is family day sponsored by Garvey’s SuperValu and this year’s free entertainment is better than ever! Highlights include a petting farm and the return of Giggles Entertainment with a mini Disco, face painting, free balloons and Coco Melon & Mickey Mouse will meet & greet all the children as they arrive!
Sunday also features the Lyrath Estate Most Stylish Racegoer fashion competition judged by top fashion blogger, Mary O’Donnell, with a prize fund valued at €2,000!
Keeping it Country… Forever in Blue Jeans returns on Monday 23rd September at Listowel Races
The feature race on Monday is the The John F. McGuire Handicap of €45,000. Monday also sees the return of a competition celebrating one of fashion’s most iconic wardrobe essentials - Denim Blue Jeans! Sponsored by O’Connors Hardware & Farm Supplies and open to everyone, ‘Forever in Blue Jeans’ is a great excuse to wear denim in any style from jeans to jumpsuits and style them up or down as you wish! It will be judged by top model and actor Timmy Dowd with the cash prizes of €200 in the adult and €100 in the under 16’s category.
Tuesday
Tuesday’s feature race is the Edmond & Josie Whelan Memorial Listowel Stakes €40,000.
All hands and paws on course to ensure everything is ready for the Harvest Festival
The Winner Takes it All! Kerry National and ABBA Waterloo headline Wednesday 25th of September
The week’s racing highlight - The Guinness Kerry National Handicap Steeplechase €200,000 (Grade 3) is on Wednesday and always attracts a huge crowd. Limerick native, Patrick Neville, who now trains in England, has revealed he is aiming former Cheltenham Festival winner, The Real Whacker at this year's renewal. Formerly based in Askeaton, Neville was second in the 2016 running of the race courtesy of Rightville Boy.
Post racing on Wednesday, ABBA Waterloo take to the stage at 6pm for a free concert on the course playing all the icon 70’s Swedish Supergroup’s smash hits.
Sharp Dressed Men compete on Thursday 26th of September with an all-National Hunt Card
On Thursday, the feature race is The Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Hurdle (Handicap) Listed Race of €60,000. Back by popular demand, the Best Dressed Man’s Competition on Thursday is once again generously sponsored by Ryles Menswear Tralee and the judge is Cllr. Niall Botty O’Callaghan. This is the third year of Ryle Menswear’s sponsorship of this much-anticipated fashion event. The overall winner will receive a custom-made suit from Ryle Menswear valued at €1,200 and the first runner-up will receive a full Benetti suit, shirt and tie. Last year hundreds of dapper gentlemen dressed to impress and organisers are expecting another stylish event. Anyone wishing to enter should be on course by 2pm and the finalists and winners will be revealed in the parade ring after the 5th race.
Sharp Dressed Man ... Sponsor Michael Moran and Judge Niall Botty O Callaghan.
The Ladies take over on Friday 27th of September!
On Friday the feature race is The MCG Handicap Hurdle of €100,000.
Declan O'Hara, GM, McElligotts, Heidi Higgins, fashion designer, Rosanna Davison, top author and model and David Fitzmaurice, Chairman, Listowel Race Company
This is the 10th year of McElligotts sponsorship of Ladies Day at the Listowel Harvest Racing Festival and they are delighted to once again welcome on board Kia as official event co-sponsors. Judged by former Miss World, international model, and best-selling author Rosanna Davison, and award-winning top Irish fashion designer Heidi Higgins, the overall winner of the Best Dressed Lady will be jetting off to the Big Apple and staying in the fabulous Fitzpatrick Hotel in Manhattan. In addition to this fabulous prize, there are also generous cash prizes of €1,000 for the Most Creative Headpiece as well as €500 for the Most Contemporary Outfit.
How to enter Ladies Day at Listowel Races?
Anyone wishing to enter should be on course by 1pm and the judges will personally tour the course to select finalists. There will also be designated Style Spotters on the course to assist the judges to ensure everyone who is dressed to impress has a chance to be seen by the judges! Finalists and winners will be interviewed on the new fashion stage and then revealed in the parade ring after the 5th race.
All aboard. . . . as the famous open top Double Decker Bus is back to transport everyone in comfort and style from the centre of Listowel town to the races from 11.30am on Ladies Day. There is always lots of bubbles, spot prizes and jazz music to get everyone in the mood for the day ahead.
The fashion stakes remain high as sustainability takes centre stage on the closing day Saturday 28th of September
The Charlie Chute Memorial Handicap Steeplechase, €50,000 is the feature race on the last day of the meeting, Saturday 23rd of September.
It’s also Sustainable Style Saturday! Long before it was a conversation, Listowel Races was the first race course to host a sustainable-focused fashion competition. Now 13 years later, this fashion competition in association with Listowel Tidy Towns and An Taisce, continues to encourage racegoers to consider the circular fashion economy and re-style and re-wear preloved and vintage clothing. This year the cash prizes are bigger than ever with €500 cash for the Most Sustainably Dressed Racegoer (male or female) sponsored by Listowel Race Company up for grabs and €100 for the first runner-up sponsored by Oonagh Chemco Pharmacy. Judged by sustainability advocate and fashion personality Orlagh Winters, there are also new categories with a €300 cash prize sponsored by Con McCarthy Brokers for the Most Sustainable 1980’s look and €100 sponsored by John McGuire Pharmacy for the Most Sustainable under 16’s Outfit. This is always a fashionable and fun event, with generous runner-up prizes sponsored by businesses of Listowel town for all the finalists and even spot prizes for the audience! So start planning your outfit now and re-style an outfit you have worn before, or go all out and raid your parent’s old wardrobe, support your local charity shops or pop into any vintage store.
Where can I get tickets for Listowel Races?
The 166th Listowel Harvest Racing Festival runs from Sunday 22nd to Saturday 28th of September. Tickets can be purchased online or at turnstiles on the day for €20 Sunday, Monday, Tuesday & €30 Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday, with a 20% discount for groups of 20 or more. Visit www.listowelraces.ie for more information and follow the hashtag #listowelraces on Facebook, X and Instagram for updates and to join the conversation!
