Launch of Limerick's King John’s Castle Racing Festival Rathkeale jockey Conor McNamara squared up for battle at Limerick’s historical landmark in advance of the new two-day King John’s Castle Racing Festival which will take place at Limerick Racecourse on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October. The festival includes two Listed races on the opening day, Saturday October 21, with the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cailin Alainn Mares Hurdle and the Rathsallagh Country House Novice Hurdle, taking centre stage. Sunday will feature the €100,000 Grade 3 JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National Handicap Steeplechase. The Limerick visitor attraction is partnering up with Limerick Racecourse, lending its name to the new two-day National Hunt Festival, one that is synonymous with the McNamara name. Speaking at the launch in King John’s Castle, Tom Rudd, Manager of Limerick Racecourse, said: “We are really excited to expand our hugely popular JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National race day into a two-day festival. "There is a huge appetite for top quality jump racing in Munster and with seven jump races each day, including the addition of two Listed races on Saturday, along with a supporting card of family fun, fashion and live music, we think we have the perfect sporting and social occasion to offer for everyone. "It is very special to join forces with such an iconic landmark like King John’s Castle to launch and showcase our new festival. The castle symbolises Limerick’s rich medieval history, and we hope our racing festival, like its namesake, will still be going strong 800 years from now!”
