Over 200 primary school children from local schools went behind the scenes at HRI Racing Juniors education day at Tipperary Racecourse yesterday. School children from St Joseph’s, Monastery, Thomastown, Bansha, Monard, Lisvernane and Oola National Schools took part in the event as the racecourse gears up for their Super Sunday race meeting on October 6.
Monard trainer Patrick Gerard Ryan and his racehorse Coffeys Forge were on hand to meet the children as was Former jockey Ken Whelan who provided a tour of the weigh room, the jockeys’ changing room and the kit jockeys wear and use on race days. Farrier Johnny O’Connel explained the role of farrier and Racecourse Manager Andrew Hogan and Track and Facilities Manager Perry Power brought the children on a tour of the stable yard and the racecourse In addition, Riding Coach Niall Byrne from RACE – the Racing Academy and Centre of Education, gave the children an opportunity to ride the racehorse simulator. The objective of the HRI Racing Juniors education days is to encourage an affinity with racehorses among the younger generation and demonstrate the variety of careers available in the racing and breeding industry in Ireland.
