Kilbeggan builds up to new season starting on Thursday

Kilbeggan Races are back with their Spring National Hunt race meeting, which takes place over two days this Thursday, April 24 and Friday, April 25 (first races 3.30pm & 3.45pm respectively).

To kickstart their racing season, the management team and directors of Kilbeggan Racecourse invited sponsors for the upcoming season to a Sponsors Appreciation Morning, which took place on Monday of last week at the racecourse.

With an unprecedented number of races already sponsored for the 2025 racing season, the chairman PJ Lynam and the Racecourse Manager Stephen Heffernan thanked the sponsors for their most generous contributions, for what looks like a great season ahead, at Kilbeggan Racecourse. It was a casual meet and greet, with many introductions made on the morning. It allowed the sponsors to mingle with not only the management team at Kilbeggan Racecourse, but also with the Board of Directors of Kilbeggan Racecourse and with each other.

Kilbeggan attracts some top-quality racing over its 10-race-programme and this was evident last year, when Tounsivator, trained by Willie Mullins, won the Novice Hurdle at Kilbeggan and then went on to land the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse. TheWallPark started his brilliant run for Gordon Elliott when racking up his first of four wins on the bounce, when he took The Writech Handicap Hurdle, in July in Kilbeggan, prompting top owner J.P. McManus, to purchase the really likeable staying hurdler, who went on to finish third in The Stayers Hurdle at The Cheltenham Festival this year and fourth in the Aintree equivalent.

Dermot and Conor Kilmurray of Kilmurray’s Homevalue Hardware in Mullingar, are once again sponsoring the Midlands National worth €100,000, which takes place on Friday, July 11. As a listed Handicap Steeplechase, this is Kilbeggan’s biggest race of the year.

Dermot Kilmurray of Kilmurray’s Homevalue Hardware, Mullingar said: “Kilmurray’s Homevalue Hardware are only delighted to sponsor the Midlands National again this year. It is a great race, attracting the best of horses and it is a pleasure to be associated with it.

"We thoroughly enjoyed the day last year and I attend many other race meetings at Kilbeggan Racecourse, not just the Midlands National and it is always an enjoyable day out. Stephen and Hilary and the racecourse team are doing a great job.”

Also, on board on July 11 is Writech of Mullingar, who once again sponsor a feature hurdle of €25,000.

Yvonne Concannon, General Manager Writech, said: “ We are pleased to sponsor at Kilbeggan Races again this year, a partnership that has brought us immense pride. Hosting our annual staff appreciation day in the Midlands in July, allows us to celebrate our team’s hard work in a local, vibrant and exciting setting. We look forward to many more years of shared success and memorable experiences at Kilbeggan Races.”

The July 11 meeting also features the Sustainable Style Ladies Competition, which always welcomes a great turn out of fabulous ladies on the day.

Kilbeggan hosts its Best Dressed Man’s Day for the first time ever, which is proudly sponsored by Anthony Kearns of Guy Clothing, Tullamore. This event takes place on Sunday, June 1, which is also Family Day at the racecourse, with bouncy castles, face painting and games for the younger audience in attendance.

“We at GUY are delighted to be partnering with Kilbeggan Racecourse by sponsoring Best Dressed GUY at their June Bank Holiday race meeting. We are happy to also sponsor a race on the day. It is fantastic to be involved in such a prestigious event and with a fantastic racecourse, situated right in the heart of the Midlands,” said Anthony Kearns.

Numerous other sponsors were in attendance at the appreciation morning, including Ruth Wyer of Kilbeggan Distillery.

She said: “We love to sponsor at Kilbeggan Racecourse due to the special connection between the distillery and the racecourse, which goes back over 250 years. It provides us with the opportunity to engage with the local community and meet people from near and far to promote the wonderful offerings we have within the Kilbeggan area.”

Kilbeggan Racecourse has something for everyone. Some great racing is showcased at every race meeting, with the top jockeys and trainers in the country partaking. Good food and drink are available from the self-service food-hall and bars. DJs are at every race meeting, providing some great music to the always enthusiastic crowd. A band will play in the marquee at every race meeting too. So, if you fancy a flutter on the horses or simply a get-together with friends and family, look no further than Kilbeggan Racecourse. You don’t have to be a horse racing expert, to enjoy a good day out there.

Kilbeggan 2025 meetings

Spring Two Day National Hunt Race Meeting - Thursday, April 24: First race 3.30pm; Friday, April 25: First race 3.45pm.

Summer Friday Evening Racing - Friday, May 16. First race 4.20pm approx.

Summer Sunday Racing & Best Dressed Men’s Day - Sunday, June 1. First race 1.45pm approx.

Mid-Summer Monday Evening Racing - Monday, June 16. First race 4.40pm approx.

Kilmurray’s Homevalue Hardware Midlands National & Sustainable Style Ladies Competition - Friday, July 11. First race 4.25pm approx.

Mid-Summer Friday Evening Racing - Friday, July 25. First race 4.40pm approx.

Summer Saturday Festival - Saturday, August 9. First race 5pm approx.

Summer Friday Evening Racing - Friday, August 22. First race 5pm approx.

End of Season Racing - Friday, September 5: First race 4pm approx.

*Please note race times are subject to change.

*Please check the Kilbeggan Races website - www.kilbegganraces.com - in advance of race day.

Kilbeggan Races 2025 Sponsors

· Kilmurrays Homevalue Hardware

· Clarkes Electrical of Castletown Geoghegan

· SIS

· Shanette Sheds

· Cookes of Caragh

· Pat Kelly’s Winning Post Service Station

· RMG

· Adare Manor

· Joe Quinn Transport, Longford

· Scally’s Centra, Summerhill

· Guy Clothing

· Fays Bookmakers, Longford

· Westmeath County Council

· Writech

· Kilbeggan Distillery

· Frank Larrigy

· EBF

· New Forest Estate & Golf Club

· Johnston Farm Equipment

· Jim Ryan Racecourse Services

· Pat McCormack

· BetXS

· Egan Stone

· Smiddys Bar, Mullingar

· Fearghal de Feu & Family

· Midland Veterinary

· The Well, Moate

· Kenny Plant Hire, Longford

· Ivan Bracken

· MJS Building & Development, New York

· The Lynam Family

· Barry Keenan, Swiss MPC Switzerland

· Peadar’s Bar, Moate

· Kilsaran

· Senator Paul Daly

· Mullingar Park Hotel

· M6 Service Centre, Kilbeggan

· McLaughlin’s Hardware, Kilbeggan

· Anthony & Rosemary Scally

· Anthony Mulligan

· Oliver Killian

· Mullingar Equine Vets

· Clarke's Bar Mullingar