Curragh 29/6/08

[Tedthewolf]

"THE CURRAGH" There are stories told that from the very first race that took place on the Curragh around the 1700's, which was recorded by Cherney's racing calendar in 1727. The word "Curragh" means place of the running horse. As early as the third century there was chariot racing on the Curragh. This is well documented. The Irish turf club was founded in the coffee rooms in Kildare and it was soon established as the governing body for horse racing throughout Ireland. From Celtic Warrior to Celtic Tiger - a look back at the Curragh over the centuries The Irish Derby The first ever-Irish Derby took place in 1866 on the Curragh and since then the majority of the most prestigious flat races in the Irish racing calendar take place on the Curragh. In 1865 a commission was set up by the house of parliament to examine the Curragh, and the resultant 1868 Curragh of Kildare act settled the right of common pasture, and preserved the use of the Curragh for the purpose of horse racing and training. The total area of the Curragh was defined as 4870 acres, and the management of the Curragh was vested in the office of a ranger. The 1870 Curragh of Kildare act dealt with grazing rights and specified that only sheep could be grazed on the Curragh. Following the treaty of 1921 the lands passed from the British crown to the minister for finance, and later to the minister of defence and his department, under the Curragh of Kildare acts, now administers them. The Curragh of Kildare act of 1961 repealed the 1868 act and parts of the 1870 act, and allowed for the enclosure of parts of the Curragh, and the attendant extinguishment of sheep grazing rights. In 1964 the minister for Defence introduced a set of bye laws which were statuary instruments providing for further regulation in the use and management of the Curragh. Basically these were a practical list of "do's and don'ts" relating to the Curragh. The Curragh of Kildare act of 1969 extended the 1961 act and incorporated many of the 1964 byelaws, thereby putting them on the statute book. The Irish Bloodstock Industry The Curragh is at the heart of the Irish bloodstock industry, and due to an enlightened and supportive approach by the department of defence, the management of the Turf Club , and the expertise of our trainers, the Curragh training grounds have developed into a world-renowned training centre, and a major source of employment, using indigenous skills and talents. In addition to the training stables mentioned earlier, numerous large stud farms, including the National stud, have developed on the fringes of the Curragh with the consequent spin off effect into the local economy. Approximately 26% of the horses trained in Ireland are trained on the Curragh, and it is not unreasonable to apply the same percentage to employment levels. Horses trained on the Curragh have won major races world wide in countries as diverse as England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, America, Canada, and Australian with both 1993 Melbourne Cup winner Vintage Crop and Media Puzzle, winner of the same race in 2002, both trained by Dermot Weld on the Curragh. Other recent notable Curragh successes include Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace, Epsom Derby winner Sinndar, Alamshar and Grey Swallow, both winners of the Irish Derby, Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Davy Lady together with Breeders Cup winner Ridgewood Pearl The following trainers are located at the Curragh: Ms. M. Dowdall Blake, Richard Brabazon, Martin Brassil, Martin Browne, James Burrns, John J. Coleman, Ms Tracey Collins, Ms Sheena Collins, Ken Condon, Jimmy Coogan, Ms. Francis Crowley, P.D. Deegan, Francis Ennis, Seamus Fahey, Bill Farrell, Alan Fleming, Michael Flynn, Noel Furlong, A. Gannon, Declan Gillespie, Jim Gorman, Michael Grassick, Michael Halford, Edward P. Harty, Miss Sabrina Joan Harty, John Hayden, Comdt. W.S.Hayes, Mrs Seamus Hayes, Peter Henley, Dessie Hughes, Emmanuel Hughes, Ms. Caroline Hutchinson, Mrs Valerie Keatley, Dermot Kelly, Enda Kelly, James J. Kelly, Maria Kelly, A. Kinsella, John Kirwan, Frank Lacy, Bernard Lawlor, Noel Lawlor, James Leavy, Paul Magnier, Miss J McDowell, Patrick Morris, John Mulhern, Samuel Murphy, David P. Myerscough, Gerard O'Leary, Robbie Osborne, John M. Oxx, Christopher Phillips, Kevin Prendergast, Patrick Prendergast, John A. Quinn, T.A.Regan, Christy Roche, Liam Roche, Mark Roper, Eamon Tyrrell, Dermot Weld and Frank Oakes.

[mileni4uk]

Re: Curragh 29/6/08 In the first can somebody tell me why Chevie is running off such a low weight (mark 81), when his mark after the last win is 91? 3yo allowence or something? Strong money came for him and I noticed MJ Kinnane is on board.