Cork racecourse offers a perfect combination of National Hunt and Flat Hunt races. One of its biggest meetings is the Easter Festival that runs for three days. It’s been around since 2010 and has been successful over the years.
Despite its name, the racecourse is located in Mallow and not Cork. Because of this, many people refer to it as Cork racecourse Mallow.
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Cork racecourse history
For a long time, Cork was one of the largest counties that lacked a racecourse. So naturally, a demand for a new course grew with time, which led to the establishment of Mallow racecourse, which later became Cork racecourse in 1924.
Despite its proximity to the city, the racecourse has grown and now hosts several popular meetings every year. But Cork Racecourse hasn’t been popular for its horses only. In 1983, a private jet made an emergency landing which boosted people’s awareness of the course.
The course
Flat course
Cork racecourse is flat, oval, and right-handed. It has a 10-furlong inner circuit and a 12-furlong outer circuit. Moreover, there’s a small 2-furlong chute stemming from the course, which allows 6f and 5f to happen on a straight line. The nature of the course doesn’t favour any horse, even though it pays to have a strong and galloping horse in a race.
Jumps course
The jump course has eight hurdles, including three jump downs and two open ditches. The fences are a little testing and can be problematic for inexperienced jumpers. The hurdle races are held on the flat course, with the horse needing to negotiate six jumps on every jump.
The grounds drain well because of the silt from the river that’s close by. As such, the Cork racecourse is known as a course for horses that thrive on good winter ground.
Cork main racing events
Munster Oaks
This is a Group three flat horse race that’s only open to thoroughbred mares and fillies aged above three years. It is run over 2,414 meters and takes place in June every year. The race was first run in 2003 and titled Noblesse Stakes – named after Noblesse.
Give Thanks Stakes
This is also a Grade three flat race that’s open to horses above three years old. It’s run over 2,414 meters and takes place every year in July or August. It was started in 2003 and is named after Give Thanks, the jockey who won the 1983 Irish Oaks.
Hilly Way Chase
This is a Grade 2 National Hunt steeplechase that’s run in December over 3,365 meters. It was first run in 2001 as a Grade 3 race before being elevated to Grade 2 in 2003. Currently, the Kerry Group is its sponsor.
Platinum Stakes
This is a listed flat horse race that is only open to thoroughbreds aged above three years. It’s run over 1,609 meters and takes place in August every year.
Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle
This is a Grade Three National Hunt novice hurdle that’s only open to over four years old horses. It is run over 4,828 meters and has 13 hurdles. It is held in December every year and has the Kerry Group as its sponsors. It was run for the first time in 1998 and only became a Group three race in 2003.
Lombardstown Mares Novice Chase
This is a National Hunt novice steeplechase that’s open to mares above four years old. It is run over 3,365 meters and is scheduled for December. The Kerry Group has been its official sponsor since 2014.
The race started in 2004 and only upgraded to Grade three in 2003.
Where to bet on Cork races
Online betting sites
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There are several betting options, online betting, and traditional betting shops. While they both have their pros and cons, online betting wins the hearts of many. Below are a couple of reasons why:
- Remote betting – you don’t have to be in Cork racecourse to place your bets. Provided you have access to the internet; you can place your bets from anywhere in the world. All you need is an account with a licensed and reputable online betting site, and you are good to go.
- Better odds – the beauty of online betting sites is that they have fewer overheads than traditional betting shops. As such, they can afford to offer punters better odds which means higher wins.
- Welcome bonuses and promotions – welcome bonuses are issued to new punters. Though you have to fulfil some requirements before you withdraw wins from the welcome bonus amount, it’s worth it. Moreover, to keep you in the long haul, they offer regular promotions. With these promotions and bonuses, you stand to earn more money.
- Research tools – as a new punter, betting can be confusing. So how do you know which horse to place your bets on? Online betting sites offer history and statistics to help you make better decisions.
- Anonymity – with online betting, your identity remains hidden, and your financial details remain safe as well. In addition, online sites adhere to strict licensing regulations applicable in different regions.
- Payment methods – the beauty of betting online is that you can use myriad payment methods to withdraw and load your account. Even better, most deposit options are free. And while there are some withdrawal fees and the withdrawal times vary, they are relatively convenient and fast.
How to get to Cork racecourse
Rail
Mallow railway is serviced by trains from Killarney, Tralee, and Dublin.
Air
The closest airport to the Cork racecourse is Cork Airport.
Bus service
There is a bus service running from Cork to Mallow every hour. There’s also a free bus shuttle service that runs to and from the town park to every race. The shuttle bus times are posted online a week before the races start.
Despite being a couple of miles away from Cork town, the Cork racecourse is easily accessible and surrounded by many amenities. So if you choose to travel to Cork during one of the race seasons, you are bound to have a great time.