Downpatrick Racecourse
Encyclopedia
Downpatrick Racecourse, located one mile from the town of Downpatrick
in County Down
, is one of the two horse racing
courses in Northern Ireland
, the other being Down Royal
. The first race meeting at Downpatrick was held in 1685. Although Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom
, horse racing is run on an All Ireland
basis, so Downpatrick falls under the aegis of Horse Racing Ireland
rather than the British Horseracing Authority
.
Downpatrick
Downpatrick is a medium-sized town about 33 km south of Belfast in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the county town of Down with a rich history and strong connection to Saint Patrick. It had a population of 10,316 at the 2001 Census...
in County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, is one of the two horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
courses in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, the other being Down Royal
Down Royal
Down Royal is a horse racing venue near Lisburn in Northern Ireland. The most valuable race run there is the JNwine.com Champion Chase, run at the Northern Ireland Festival of racing in November...
. The first race meeting at Downpatrick was held in 1685. Although Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, horse racing is run on an All Ireland
All Ireland
All-Ireland is an attributive which emphasises the island of Ireland. It contrasts with expressions such as the South or Northern Ireland which apply only to regions. Many sports are organised on an all-Ireland basis....
basis, so Downpatrick falls under the aegis of Horse Racing Ireland
Horse Racing Ireland
Horse Racing Ireland is the governing body of horse racing on the island of Ireland. Like most other sports, horse racing is run on an All Ireland basis, so Horse Racing Ireland is responsible for racing in both the Republic of Ireland, which has 25 racecourses, and in Northern Ireland, which has...
rather than the British Horseracing Authority
British Horseracing Authority
The British Horseracing Authority, also known simply as the BHA, is the regulatory authority for horse racing in Great Britain.It was formed on 31 July 2007, after the merger of the British Horseracing Board and the Horseracing Regulatory Authority .Its stated objectives are to: “provide the most...
.