DESTINATION – THOROUGHBRED

DESTINATION –Thoroughbred Country!

DAVID MONGEY, CHAIRMAN OF KILDARE FAILTE AND MEMBER OF THE STEERING GROUP, INTRODUCES US TO THOROUGHBRED COUNTRY, AN EXCITING NEW CONCEPT TO PROMOTE OUR INDUSTRY.

Horses have been an integral part of Ireland’s culture for 2,000 years, at the heart of the Irish Story, from mythical gures to modern day thoroughbred champions and an acclaimed global equine industry. It’s a story that needs to be told, experienced and shouted from the roof tops. oroughbred Country does just that. e Destination Experience Development Plan will bring to life the thoroughbred horse tradition, world-renowned horse people, their cra s and the breeding heritage. Like the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ with stunning coastlines, we o er awe-inspiring stud farms, racecourses and characters like nowhere else! e ve-year Plan is a collaboration of Failte Ireland, Kildare and Tipperary County Councils, and the oroughbred Country Steering Group, chaired by Cathal Beal, CEO National Stud, which comprises representatives from Horse Racing Ireland, e Curragh Racecourse, Punchestown Racecourse, Coolmore Stud, Kildare Village, Hotel Minella, Into Kildare and Tipperary Tourism and is coordinated by Laura Magee, formerly of Punchestown Racecourse.

Ireland’s global reputation will be central to the plan, which will create a dynamic destination to attract domestic and international visitors and establish the region as the world’s leading thoroughbred experience. e innovative and ambitious Plan includes the new International oroughbred Trail, the Irish National Stud Premium Experience, Fethard Horse Country Experience, Coolmore Experience, and the Racing Royalty Experience, which includes a morning at Ballydoyle followed by a fully guided tour of Coolmore Stud, private driver and a stunning hospitality experience at e Cashel Palace. ere will also be a Mingle With e Stars Stallion Trail, e Curragh Behind e Scenes Tour, trainers’ yards visits, the Hidden History Museum of Tipperary, with live demonstration from a third-generation blacksmith, and the Punchestown National Hunt Experience. oroughbred Country will also target the M.I.C.E markets – Meetings, Incentive Trips, Conferences and Events – o ering quality hospitality along with that behind the scenes, privileged access feel. It is a marriage of the tourism and thoroughbred Industries and will give the customer an inside view of the life of a racehorse, from foaling through to the cut-and-thrust of the racecourse, to secure, well-deserved retirement.

Traditional Irish hospitality will welcome visitors at every port of call and packages can be booked to suit all pockets and timelines. You can witness mares giving birth, going through the sales ring, into training stables and onto the racecourse itself. Other experiences will include the thoroughbred in retirement or re-training, and the Racing Academy and Centre of Education, where our next generation of jockeys and stable sta are coached, involving around 40 retired racehorses and also some retired jockeys!

I believe this may attract new owners to the industry, but more importantly it will present to the wider world the very special place the thoroughbred has in the heart of the Irish people.

Thoroughbred Country Steering Group members

Thoroughbred Country website will be live in spring 2022 but for further information contact Laura Magee on info@thoroughbredcountry.ie