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Dundalk Stadium
History of Dundalk Stadium
1889 – The original Dundalk Racecourse opened at Dowdallshill as a turf venue. It later became primarily associated with National Hunt racing, or jump, racing.
1930 – The Dundealgan Greyhound Racing Company received a racing licence in September, and greyhound racing began at the Ramparts in October. The former stadium was located east of central Dundalk, south of Rampart Lane in Townparks.
1930 – Paddy Martin served as a founding director and the original racing manager of the Ramparts greyhound track.
1957 – Jimmy Martin succeeded his brother Paddy Martin as racing manager of the Ramparts.
1968 – The Ramparts completed a major redevelopment that added a glass-fronted grandstand, Tote facilities, and expanded terracing.
1968 – The inaugural Dundalk International greyhound race was staged at the Ramparts.
1996 – Representatives of Dundalk’s horse and greyhound racing operations began discussing the possibility of merging the two venues.
1999 – Dundalk Race Company PLC and Dundealgan Greyhound Racing Company Limited merged to form Dundalk Racing (1999) Ltd. The merger allowed plans to proceed for a reconstructed horse course with a greyhound track inside the main circuit.
2000 – The Ramparts greyhound stadium closed on November 20 while the Dowdallshill property was being redeveloped.
2001 – The original Dundalk turf course closed, ending the racecourse’s former National Hunt racing program.
2003 – The combined Dundalk Stadium opened on November 29 with a greyhound circuit inside the horse-racing course, a new grandstand, elevated viewing areas, restaurants, and bars.
2004 – The Dundalk International returned at the new stadium and was extended from its former 525-yard distance to 550 yards.
2004 – The Irish Sprint Cup, previously known as the Irish National Cup, moved to Dundalk Stadium.
2007 – Dundalk reopened its horse-racing course on August 26 with a new floodlit Polytrack surface. From this point, Dundalk operated as a Thoroughbred Flat-racing venue rather than a National Hunt racecourse. The reopening made Dundalk Ireland’s first all-weather racecourse with floodlights.
2008 – The Diamond Stakes moved to Dundalk and was staged on the Polytrack course.
2009 – The Diamond Stakes was promoted from Listed status to Group 3, becoming Ireland’s first non-turf Group race.
2018 – The Mercury Stakes was upgraded from Listed status to Group 3.
2020 – The Mercury Stakes was renamed the Pat Smullen Mercury Stakes in memory of the nine-time Irish champion jockey.
2022 – The Diamond Stakes was downgraded from Group 3 to Listed status.
Track Details
Main All-Weather Horse Course
- Dundalk Stadium stages Thoroughbred Flat racing on a left-handed oval.
- The course measures approximately 10 furlongs, or 1¼ miles, in circumference.
- Horses race counterclockwise around the circuit.
- The racing surface is Polytrack, a wax-coated synthetic all-weather surface.
- The official course condition is generally listed as Standard.
- The course has a run-in of approximately 2½ furlongs from the final bend to the winning post.
- A five-furlong chute joins the main course on the home bend slightly more than 3½ furlongs from the finish.
- One-mile races begin from a short chute near the start of the back straight.
- The course is fully floodlit and is used for evening and selected afternoon fixtures.
Greyhound Track
- The greyhound track is positioned inside the main horse-racing circuit.
- Greyhound race results at Dundalk list the racing surface as sand.
- The present circuit measures approximately 550 yards in circumference.
- The Dundalk International is contested over 550 yards.
- The Irish Sprint Cup is contested over 400 yards.
- Sprint Distances – 350y, 400y
- Middle Distance – 525y (standard), 550y, 575y
- Stayers Distance – 600y, 620y, 670y
- Marathon Distance – 900y
Other Facilities
Grandstand and Viewing Areas
- Dundalk Stadium has a modern grandstand overlooking the horse and greyhound tracks.
- The grandstand includes elevated viewing areas, glass-fronted sections, restaurants, bars, hospitality suites, and indoor public spaces.
- Race-viewing screens are available within the principal hospitality and dining areas.
- The grandstand was developed as part of the combined horse-and-greyhound racing venue that opened in 2003.
Owners and Trainers Lounge
- The Owners and Trainers Lounge is located on the first floor.
- Access is provided to eligible owners and trainers with a declared runner at the meeting.
- Two television screens show racing from Dundalk and other racecourses.
- The lounge also provides views of the parade ring.
- Owners and trainers with a declared runner may purchase additional guest meal vouchers at a preferential rate.
- Discounted dining packages are available in The View Restaurant for eligible owners and trainers.
Stable Block
- The extensive stable block can accommodate up to 130 horses.
- Stabling arrangements and race-day information are provided to owners and trainers before each meeting.
Private Hospitality Suites
- Dundalk Stadium has four private hospitality suites on the second floor.
- Each suite has a private bar.
- Tableside Tote wagering is available within the suites.
- Race-viewing screens are provided.
- Each booking includes a dedicated hospitality-suite host.
- The suites provide private group accommodation while retaining views and access to the racing program.
Conferences and Private Events
- Dundalk Stadium accepts bookings for conferences, corporate events, private celebrations, group functions, and special occasions.
- Available packages can include admission, racecards, reserved seating, food, private bars, and tableside wagering.
- Event facilities may be used during horse-racing, greyhound-racing, and dual-racing meetings.
The View Restaurant
- The View Restaurant is a glass-fronted dining area overlooking the horse and greyhound racing circuits.
- The restaurant also provides views toward the Cooley Mountains.
- Guests receive a reserved table for the racing session.
- Bar service, waiting service, and tableside Tote wagering are available.
- Packages may include admission, a racecard, and a four-course meal.
- Advance booking is recommended, particularly for major fixtures and special events.
- Package inclusions and prices vary according to the meeting.
Saddle Cocktail Bar
- The Saddle Cocktail Bar provides reserved seating for groups and hospitality bookings.
- Available packages may include admission, racecards, seating, and finger food.
- Package options and prices vary between greyhound-only, horse-racing, and dual-racing meetings.
Silks Carvery
- Silks Carvery is located on the ground floor of the stadium.
- It serves traditional carvery meals during horse-racing fixtures.
- The carvery operates from the opening of the stadium doors until the second-to-last horse race.
Bit & Bite Takeaway
- Bit & Bite Takeaway provides casual food during racing events.
- Its packages and menu options vary according to the fixture.
Race Schedule and Major Events & Races
Schedule of Major Races in Dundalk Stadium
🐎 Horse Live Racing Schedule
- Dundalk stages all-weather Thoroughbred Flat racing at several points throughout the year.
- Horse-racing fixtures are evening meetings unless marked with D on the official fixture list to indicate an afternoon meeting.
- Greyhound racing follows selected horse-racing meetings, with access included under the relevant admission arrangement.
- Doors normally open approximately one hour before the first horse race.
- First-race times vary by meeting and should be checked through the current Dundalk Stadium fixture calendar.
🐕 Greyhound Live Racing Schedule
- Regular greyhound racing is staged every Saturday evening.
- Doors normally open at approximately 6:30 p.m.
- The first greyhound race is usually scheduled for approximately 7:50 p.m.
- Greyhound racing also follows selected horse-racing fixtures.
- Exact dates and starting times should be confirmed through the current stadium calendar.
Major Race Events
Horse
- 🐴 Ladies Day.
- 🐴 Dual Race and Family Fun Day.
Greyhound
- 🐶Dundalk International.
- 🐶 Irish Sprint Cup.
Graded Events
Group III
- 🐴 Pat Smullen Mercury Stakes.
Listed
- 🐴Diamond Stakes.
Location and Access to the Racecourse
- Dundalk Stadium is located on Racecourse Road at Dowdallshill, north of Dundalk in County Louth.
- The official address is Dundalk Stadium, Racecourse Road, Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland.
- Dundalk Clarke Railway Station is approximately an 11-minute drive from the stadium.
- Drivers using the M1 can take Exit 18 and continue toward Dundalk on the N52.
- Local taxi services connect the railway station and Dundalk town center with the stadium.
- Bus Éireann and Matthews Coaches provide services to Dundalk.
- The Matthews Coaches stop at Marshes Shopping Centre, approximately an eight-minute drive from the stadium.
- Stadium opening times vary according to the racing program.
- The car park opens from 9:00 a.m. until late on Saturdays and from 9:00 a.m. until noon on Sundays for vehicle collection.
Contact
- Racecourse Rd, Dowdallshill, Dundalk, Co. Louth, A91 FFP3, Ireland
- Phone: +353 42 933 4438
- https://www.dundalkstadium.com/
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Dundalk Stadium
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