Down Royal

Quick Facts About Down Royal

Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders was founded in 1685 by Royal Charter from King James II to encourage horse breeding in the area. The original racing took place at Downpatrick but the association moved to the present course in 1789.

In 1750 King George II donated £100 to run a King's Plate and to the present day a Royal Plate has been held at the course contributed to by the Privy Purse.

Media Puzzle, winner of the 2002 Melbourne Cup had previously won the Ulster Derby.

Pictured Above:  Two time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Kauto Star, going on to win the JNwine.com Champion Chase (Grade 1)

Down Royal Revealed

Racing at Down Royal has a long and interesting history to it but what is of even more interest is the range of first-class racing it has been staging in more recent times. This has been attracting the best horses around, promoting strong betting markets, bumper crowds and a fantastic, lively atmosphere.

This isn't happening by accident because you can't have one without the other - good races attract good horses and good facilities attract big crowds and the investment in both in recent times has paid dividends. The £75,000 Specsavers Ulster Derby is the highlight of the popular 3-day Summer Festival and the Northern Ireland Festival of Racing in early November is a showcase for the cream of National Hunt (jump) racing.

Festival Of Racing

It is entirely appropriate that Down Royal should hold such a high class jump racing meet because Northern Ireland is famed for its breeding academies in that sphere. Also, the locals love their racing and this enthusiasm rubs off on the many visitors from Britain and the rest of Ireland. The showpiece of the 2-day festival is the Grade 1 James Nicholson Wine Merchant Chase (worth £150,000) which has been won by such greats as Florida Pearl, Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Looks Like Trouble (both also bred in N.I.) and Beef Or Salmon.

The 2-day meeting was only initiated in 1999 but has, like one of the sponsor's fine imports, got better with time. It is by no means, a one-race meeting, however, the Killultagh Properties Chase and Anglo Irish Bank Hurdle, won in 2004 by Mac's Joy, provide solid back-up to an event that's very much on the up.

Course Characteristics

Down Royal is a right-handed, undulating course of one mile and seven furlongs in length with an uphill finish.

How To Get There

By Road:
16 km south of Belfast City just off the A1, which is the main Belfast-Dublin road.

By Rail:
The nearest railway station is Lisburn with a regular service from Belfast.

By Air:
Two airports in Belfast, Belfast International and Belfast City.

 Admission

Adults £10

Students & Senior Citizens Concessions

Children Under 12 FREE

Refreshment Facilities

The modern facilities include fast food counters, self-service restaurant, bars and a cafe. On festival days there are additional bars and food outlets. 

Corporate Facilities

The VIP Suite on the first floor of the grandstand can accommodate up to 130 guests in tables of 10. Private marquees can also be provided for between 50 and 1,500 people. Facilities in both cases include CCTV, private Tote betting, private bar and of course quality food and service. There are also a number of private boxes available.

Après Racing

 Local places of interest are Irish Linen Centre, Lisburn Museum and the beautiful Georgian village of Hillsborough nearby.

 

Local Hotels
Beechlawn Hotel, Dunmurray	02890 612 974
Ballymac Hotel, Stoneyford	02892 684 313

 

Local Restaurants
The Racecourse Inn, Maze
Hillside Restaurant, Hillsborough
The Plough, Hillsborough
The Tidi Doffer, Ravernet

 

Local Pubs
Clenaghan's Bar/Restaurant, Lisburn
Quincy's Bar/Restaurant, Lisburn
The Down Royal Inn, Lisburn
Treasure Inn, Lisburn