Celebrating its 103rd 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 annual Navan Racing Festival on the 16th and 17th 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 the racing calendar at the Racecourse, and features a programme designed to attract some of Ireland’s best and most promising horses. It provides 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 16th of November, the first race starts at 11.40am and the last at 15.43pm.
11:40am - The Kilberry Pub & Kitchen Maiden Hurdle
12:15pm - The Lisadell Equine Hospital Handicap Hurdle
12:50pm - The Hotel Park St. Johann In Tirol Austria Handicap Hurdle
13:25pm - The Bar One Racing For Auction Novice Hurdle
13:58pm - The Railway Bar Lismullen Hurdle Grade 2
14:33pm - The Bar One Racing Fortria Steeplechase Grade 2
15:08pm - The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Steeplechase
15:43pm - The Bar One Racing 'Guaranteed Overnight Prices' (Pro/Am) Flat Race
On Sunday the 19th of November, the first race starts at 11.35am and the last is at 15.40pm.
11:35am - The Bar One Racing 'Price Boosts Across All Channels' 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle
12:10pm - The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle
12:45pm - The Gaeil Colmcille GAA Kells 'Day At The Races' Handicap Hurdle
13:20pm - The John Lynch Carpets & Flooring Monksfield Novice Hurdle Grade 3
13:55pm - The Bar One Racing 'Bet €10 Get €50 Sign Up Offer' Tara Handicap Hurdle
14:30pm - The Bar One Racing Troytown Handicap Steeplechase of €100,000 Grade 3
15:05pm - The Race And Stay Irish EBF Beginners Steeplechase
15:40pm - The Coolmore N.H. Sires Hurricane Lane Irish EBF Mares Flat Race
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 €5 Shop Bet Voucher, complimentary pint of Bulmers or Budweiser and a race card. So many options to choose from!
The Entertainment
This year, both days of The Navan Racing Festival will be filled with entertainment and live music. As you arrive the choir will be on welcoming duty on each day with beautiful music filling the air and creating a seasonal atmosphere.
Navan Racecourse have pulled out all the stops for this years November racing festival. Saturday will see the band Rake The Ashes headlining the marquee with traditional tunes echoing around the racecourse. The band will begin directly after the last race to keep the spirits high. On Sunday, The Sandmen will have a DJ set throughout the day and then will perform live music after racing on the Sunday.
There will be three shuttle buses throughout the day bringing racegoers from Navan town to the racetrack as well as a return from the racetrack. The buses will pick up at 10am at the following points of : the Fair Green, Foxes Pub as well as the Round O. The return bus will depart the racecourse after the last race to the Fire Station and the Fair Green.
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 , The Royal Meath bar and more. 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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