Horse Racing On The Beach

Emily Mitchell · Post by **Emily Mitchell** » 17 years ago

Check this out you guys:

That's at Sanlucar the Barrameda in Spain. The only place in the world where they actually race on the beach, I believe. I can imagine those sea shells might hurt the horses' feet though... maybe they put something protective on them?

Steph Lonhro · Post by **Steph Lonhro** » 17 years ago

that would be interesting to watch

Martin Pennington · Post by **Martin Pennington** » 17 years ago

They actually race on the beach once a year at Laytown in Ireland (think it's to the North of Dubin though i'm probably wrong). Cracking racecourse, they put the running rail etc up and fence it off, can only do it on that one day due to the tides). There have been a number of good horses race there most notably in recent years Grade 3 winning hurdler Essex won a flat race there prior to winning the Totesport Trophy. Laytown is also kind of the place where Colin Farrell had his first big break as an actor (on BBC series Ballykissangel)

Laytown is the only race meeting held under official rules ie.those of the Jockey Club of that particular racing nation.

An old pic but this is the jist of the finishing straight at Laytown (all races are run on a straight course with the rail coming in for the last couple of furlongs).

Ara Davies · Post by **Ara Davies** » 17 years ago

My first thought when I saw that first pic was "What the heck is Silver Charm doing racing on the beach? And what are those silks on him?"

Michelle Calderoni · Post by **Michelle Calderoni** » 17 years ago

Thats kinda like San Moritz in Switzerland, which is either the only, or one of the few place, horses race on the snow.