In excess of two hundred P6 and P7 pupils from seven local schools in the Downpatrick area enjoyed ‘Go Racing Kids’ Club’ Day at Downpatrick Racecourse last week writes Joe Kavanagh.
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Jockey Declan Lavery from Downpatrick chats to local school children about his sport. Eight local schools attend Downpatrick RacecourseÕs ÔGo Racing Kids ClubÕ Education Day. Photography: Andrew Paton, Presseye. 16/06/2015. Jockey Declan Lavery[/caption]
The event was Horse Racing Ireland’s sixth such imitative this year following earlier events at various Irish Racecourses. This was the first Go Racing Kids Club Education Day to be hosted in Northern Ireland.
Downpatrick Racecourse was hosting the school children ahead of their Family Fun Day meeting, which will take place on Tuesday 14 July. The objective of the ‘Go Racing Kids’ Club’ initiative is to build ties between the racecourses and their local community, encouraging an affinity with racing which will hopefully produce future racegoers. The activities are designed in consultation with teachers to be an entertaining educational experience and to provide a unique look behind the scenes of the racing world.
PHOTOS FROM KIDS GO RACING _ click the link!
Richard Lyttle, Manager at Downpatrick Racecourse said “I was absolutely thrilled to host a Go Racing Kids Club Schools Day here today. It is a unique opportunity for the school children to see behind the scenes at their local track.
“I hope to see them all back here on 14 July for the Family Fun Day where there will be more than twenty children’s activities for all the family including a Mini Funfair, Miniature Pony Race, Kids sprint and Face painting”.
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A training session explained by Armagh trainer Marshall Watson with Philippa Baird from Downpatrick.[/caption]
The children heard talks from Downpatrick jockey Declan Lavery and Armagh-based trainer Marshall Watson about their day-to-day routines and life in racing. The pupils took part in a demonstration from top local racehorse farrier and former amateur rider Rory Lavery and were entertained by Marie Louise from ‘Front Runner – Racing Club for Kids’ with racing games, puzzles and quizzes.
The pupils from St Joseph’s PS, Ballykinlar, St Joseph’s PS, Crossgar, St Macartans PS, Holy Family PS, St Joseph’s PS, Ballycruttle, St Patricks PS, Legamaddy and St Joseph’s PS, Killough also met Downpatrick Racecourse’s track foreman Fintan Ward and Chairman of the Stewards panel at the track Brian Fitzsimmons who explained how the team at Downpatrick prepares for a race day.
All the pupils received a ‘Go Racing Kids’ Club’ goodie bag at the end of the day and were asked to take part in a drawing competition where the pupil with the best picture will be presented with a prize in the parade ring on the Family Fun Day and their picture will be published in the race card.
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Pupils from St Macartan’s PS in Loughinisland pictured at Downpatrick racecourse.[/caption]
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