Countdown continues to Midlands National at Kilbeggan Races
On Friday week, July 10, Kilbeggan Racecourse hosts its biggest race meeting of the year, with its feature race, the Kilmurray Group Midlands National, taking place on the day.
This listed steeplechase race, over 3 miles, 1 furlong, and sponsored by Dermot & Conor Kilmurray of Kilmurray’s Homevalue Hardware in Mullingar, is valued at a massive €100,000 and is one of the most valuable steeplechase races of the summer racing calendar. This is the eighth running of this prestigious event and the third outing for Kilmurray’s as sponsor.
It can be seen as a stepping stone to the Galway Plate. Previous winners of this race include Grand National winner Freewheelin Dylan who won in 2020 and also Foxy Jacks, trained by Mouse Morris who went on to win the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in 2023.
Last year, there was a fantastic finish to the Midlands National when Henry De Bromhead’s Amirite, under a brilliant ride from Darragh O’Keeffe, just got the better of Mica Malpic, with Moonovercloon finishing in third place.
Kilbeggan Distillery & BetXS sponsor the maiden hurdles, New Forest Estate & Golf Club and Frank Larrigy sponsor the handicap hurdles and the Irish EBF sponsor the beginner’s steeplechase.
Also on the day, Kilbeggan Racecourse will welcome all the wonderful ladies who wish to take part in the Ladies Day competition, in the hopes of winning a prize worth €4,000.
The prizes includes a €3,000 cash prize, a three course dinner for two people, in The Old House Restaurant in the Annebrook House Hotel, Mullingar, a gift bag from Red Earth Mullingar & Choko Jewellery, containing a beautiful piece of jewellery from the Choko Jewellery range, a voucher for Clypso Hair Salon Mullingar, a stunning bouquet of flowers from Mullingar florist Teresa Nixon and a bottle of Prosecco from Wines Direct, Mullingar.
The judge on the day is the fabulous presenter and SJF Productions CEO, Sarah Jane Foster. Sarah Jane will be looking for competitors who have embraced the occasion from head to toe. Beautiful millinery, elegant tailoring, soft pastel tones, thoughtful styling and attention to every detail will all catch her eye. Above all, she believes the winning look is one that feels authentic, polished and celebrates the joy of race day fashion.
To add to all of that, there will be bouncy castles, face painting, children’s games, Corvenieos Stilt Walking Drummers and jugglers walking through the crowd, ice-cream, good food & drink, live music in the Marquee provided by the brilliant Wrafter Family Band and DJ music outside The Pavilion Bar. It is going to be a jam-packed day, on Friday, July 10 at Kilbeggan Racecourse.
Gates open at 3pm, with the first race at approximately 4.30pm. All are welcome. Buy your tickets with cash or card at the turnstiles on the day or visit https://kilbegganraces.com to purchase your tickets online and to receive a 10 per cent discount on adult general admission tickets. Kilbeggan Racecourse looks forward to welcoming everybody for an evening of exciting racing and good fun!