Thoroughbred Trail Weekends Looking for a Truly Unique Gift for Someone Special Well this is a Valentine’s treat with a difference! A Behind the scenes look at Horse Racing The first of the scheduled Thoroughbred Trail Weekends for 2010, held in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland and Horse Racing Ireland, will take place over Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st of February. The weekend package includes two nights Bed & Breakfast with one dinner at a hotel of your choice (see below for participating hotels), transportation to and from hotel to the Trainer’s Yard and Races, admission, race card and lunch at the races, along with discount cards to enjoy shopping at Kildare Village Shopping Outlet or a visit to the Irish National Stud or Russborough House. On Sunday 21st February you will be collected from your hotel and taken to visit the yard of Tom Taaffe, one of Ireland’s most respected and successful National Hunt trainers. He has enjoyed many big race successes as a jockey, and as a trainer has won National Hunt racings most prestigious race the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Kicking King. Participants will also have the opportunity to see horses being put through their paces at the gallops and includes lunch and admission to the races at Naas Racecourse. Commenting on the upcoming weekend at Naas on Sunday 21st February Tom Taaffe, explained – “I’m delighted to be working with Fáilte Ireland and Horse Racing Ireland on this initiative to show racegoers and non-racegoers a rare behind the scenes morning in a working yard. We’ve been lucky to have the likes of Kicking King, Ninetieth Minute, Cane Brake and other fantastic horses through the yard in the last couple of years and I look forward to welcoming guests to Portree stables on Sunday 21st February.” There will be lots of fun and some surprises along the way, while the host for the day, Kevin O’Ryan, well known tipster and presenter on At the Races, will be on hand to mark the card. What promises to be an action packed day at Naas racecourse, racegoers will be given a chance to see some of Ireland’s equine hopefuls run before the Cheltenham Festival. Hosting a Cheltenham Preview is TV3’s Denis Kirwan along with Hector O’hEochagain who will be in the Parade Ring pointing out some Irish horses to watch out for at Cheltenham. Last year’s three Grade 1 winners included Joncol, Go Native and An Cathair Mor. Hector will also be hosting the Jockeys Olympics in aid of the Goal Haiti Earthquake Appeal. Watch top jockeys such as Ruby Walsh, Barry Geraghty and Paul Carberry compete in grueling games of egg & spoon race, three-legged race and penalty shoot-outs to name but a few! For further information and details of how to book your Thoroughbred Trail Weekend please contact Aspects of Ireland on 01–4972003. Email trail@aspectsofireland.com or log on to www.discoverireland.ie/dublinsdoorstep
