Naas kids get ready for family day Naas warmed up for their family day meeting next Bank Holiday Monday, October 28 by hosting a HRI “Go Racing Kids’ Club” at the Co. Kildare track yesterday. The event was attended by 290 5th and 6th class pupils from local schools who took part in demonstrations from R.A.C.E. (Racing Academy & Centre of Education) and heard talks from trainers Richard Pugh and Denis Cullen plus jockeys Gary Carroll and Jody McGarvey. The pupils met Naas Manager, Tom Ryan who explained how the team at Naas Racecourse prepares for a race day, and they were entertained with racing games, puzzles and quizzes. They were also shown racing silks, horse shoes, racing tack and feed. Lorraine Page, Marketing Executive at HRI, said: “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 educate school children about racing and show them what happens behind the scenes at the racecourse.” All the pupils received a ‘Go Racing Kids’ Club’ goodie bag which included complimentary tickets to the races at Naas next Monday. Tom Ryan said: “It was great to have the local schools here as we educate them about racing. Racing is a vital part of our economy, especially in Kildare. The children were really enthusiastic and interested about what we all had to say. “We are racing at Naas this coming Bank Holiday Monday, October 28. It is our traditional family day with lots of free children’s entertainment. We hope to see all the children back with us then.”
