Bank holiday racing proves a major success at Kilbeggan

Kilbeggan Races hosted its third race meeting of the 2026 season on last Sunday, as some great horse racing and the Best Dressed Guy’s competition took place.

As well as seven exciting races on the day, the Best Dressed Guy’s Competition, sponsored by GUY Clothing Tullamore was held, with some fantastic prizes on offer, including a €1,000 personal shopping experience in Guy Clothing for the winner.

Judges of the competition, TV3 presenter Alan Hughes and country music legend Mike Denver had a very tough job in whittling down the 25 finalists to five before choosing first, second and third placed.

Following a few brief words from Alan Hughes in the parade ring and in front of an eager crowd, it was Michael Fitzpatrick who was declared the winner.

With seven races on the card, the feature race was The Guy Clothing & KODE Clothing & Footwear Handicap Steeplechase, over two mile and four furlongs and this went the way of Andrew McNamara’s Warriors Wood, whose 7-2 joint favourite, fended off Trasna Na Pairce from the Henry De Bromhead stable by seven lengths, under jockey Brian Hayes.

Another really good performance on the day was Apple’s of Bresil, trained by Barry Connell and ridden by Sean Flanagan. He was very impressive when landing The Geoff Scally Centra Beginners Steeplechase over two mile and four. Also on the card was a double for Cian Collins who won the Joe Quinn Transport Handicap Hurdle, with Blue Reed (under Danny Gilligan) and they teamed up again to win The Midland Veterinary Handicap Hurdle when Secret Rock fended off Walk Win.

Also on the card was a win for Local News in The Gannon Eco Novice Hurdle for Richard Hennessy who currently has only two horses in his stable.

Along with some great horse racing and the Best Dressed Guy’s competition, there was also a fun-filled area for the younger audience in attendance, with queues for the bouncy castles, face painting, kids’ games and the ever-popular ice-cream van.

John Molloy belted out the tunes in the marquee and was later joined by Mike Denver who sang some songs to the very excited crowd gathered in and around the marquee. With DJ music also playing throughout the day, outside the Pavilion, the atmosphere was electric throughout.

Kilbeggan Races returns on Monday, June 15 and tickets can be purchased by visiting www.kilbegganraces.com