Celebrating its 102nd Birthday this year, Navan Racecourse has been a popular destination for racegoers and visitors in the Boyne Valley region for a long time. Navan is a left-handed oval track of one mile and four furlongs with a testing uphill finish of approximately two furlongs. The straight sprint track is nearly six furlongs in length. The track is best described as a 'big galloping track' and consequently attracts many high-class runners. This year, Navan Racecourse is holding the inaugural Navan Racing Festival on the 18th and 19th of November. This is what you can expect over the two days of the festival.
The Racing
The Navan Racing Festival is the highlight of their racing calendar and features a programme designed to attract some of Ireland’s best and most promising horses and provide competitive and exciting racing for racegoers and viewers. With over €450,000 in prizemoney on offer, the weekend is one of the first opportunities for racing fans to see some of the top National Hunt performers for that coming season. On Saturday the 18th of November, the first race starts at 11.50am and the last at 15.50pm.
Kilberry Pub & Kitchen Maiden Hurdle - 11:50am
Lisadell Equine Hospital Handicap Hurdle - 12:20pm
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Steeplechase - 12:55pm
Bar One Racing For Auction Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) - 13:30pm
The Railway Bar Lismullen Hurdle (Grade 2) - 14:05pm
Bar One Racing Fortria Chase (Grade 2) - 14:40pm
Hotel Park St. Johann In Tirol Austria Handicap Hurdle - 15:15pm
Bar One Racing INH (Pro-Am) Flat Race - 15:50pm
On Sunday the 19th of November, the first race starts at 11.45am and the last is at 15.40pm.
Bar One Racing 3YO Maiden Hurdle - 11:45am
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle - 12:15pm
John Lynch Carpets Monksfield Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) - 12:45pm
Bar One Racing Price Boosts Handicap Hurdle - 13:20pm
Bar One Racing Troytown Handicap Steeplechase (Grade B) - 13:55pm
Race & Stay Irish EBF Beginners Steeplechase - 14:30pm
Gaeil Colmcille GAA Kells “Day Out At The Races” Handicap Hurdle - 15:05pm
Coolmore NH Sires EBF Listed Mares Bumper - 15:40pm
The Hospitality
Over the weekend there will be plenty of options for dining and socialising at the Racecourse. For dining you can choose from The Bective Restaurant, The Kilberry Restaurant and the Troytown Bar and café. Navan racecourse also have a number of packages that are available to book in advance for the festival. The Bective package includes admission on the day, a reserved dining table for the day, a panoramic view over the racetrack, a four-course meal, race card and betting and bar facilities. The Trackside Bar package includes admission on the day, a reserved table in their track facing suite, easy access to the bookies and parade ring, a one course buffet lunch, race card and betting and bar facilities. Their racing bundle includes admission on the day, a Grab and Go Burger Meal, a €10 Shop Bet Voucher, complimentary pint of Bulmers or Budweiser and a race card. So many options to choose from!
The Entertainment
Navan Racecourse have pulled out all the stops for their first November racing festival. On day one their music headliner is BAZZA DJ & SAX with Pilgrim Street entertaining race goers on day 2. There is plenty of other entertainment being planned for the weekend also.
Over the weekend, you can make use of a FREE shuttle bus that will pick up race goers from the Fair Green in Navan at 10am, 10.30am and 11.15am on both days. The bus will run for people wanting to return to Navan up until 90mins after the last race on both days.
Local businesses in Navan are getting on board also with special offers for accommodation in The Newgrange Hotel, The Ardboyne Hotel and The Castle Arch Hotel. Music and entertainment after the races is also being held in the Central Bar and The Royal Meath bar. This has all the makings for a great weekend in the Boyne Valley. Find out more about Navan Racing Festival on our website here.
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