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250 primary school children go behind the scenes at HRI Racing Juniors education day at Fairyhouse Racecourse ahead of Easter Festival Easter Saturday, April 19 to Easter Monday, April 21
School children from Rathbeggan National School in Dunshaughlin, Rathfeigh National School in Tara, St Mary's Convent Primary School in Trim and St Paul’s National School in Ratoath took part in a special Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Racing Juniors education day at Fairyhouse Racecourse on Wednesday April 2 as the County Meath racecourse gears up for their three-day Easter Festival, Easter Saturday April 19 to Easter Monday, April 21.
Thursday, 03 April 2025
250 primary school children go behind the scenes at HRI Racing Juniors education day at Fairyhouse Racecourse ahead of Easter Festival
Easter Saturday, April 19 to Easter Monday, April 21
School children from Rathbeggan National School in Dunshaughlin, Rathfeigh National School in Tara, St Mary's Convent Primary School in Trim and St Paul’s National School in Ratoath took part in a special Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Racing Juniors education day at Fairyhouse Racecourse on Wednesday April 2 as the County Meath racecourse gears up for their three-day Easter Festival, Easter Saturday April 19 to Easter Monday, April 21.
250 primary school children got to go behind the scenes at the County Meath racecourse and meet Kilsallaghan-based trainer Thomas Dreaper and his racehorse Folly Master. Thomas explained what his job entails as a racehorse trainer as well as a typical day-to-day routine for his racehorses, their exercise schedule and diet, and how he prepares them to run in a race.
2022 Irish Grand National-winning jockey Paddy O’Hanlon brought the children into the weighroom to show them the jockeys’ changing room and the kit jockeys wear and use on race days including boots, back-protector, helmet and saddle.
Racecourse Manager Peter Roe and Track Foreman Richard Stapleton took the children on a course walk to see first-hand how the team prepare the track for the Easter Festival. They also met Luke Drought from the Fairyhouse team who led an interactive session with the students, demonstrating all the equipment used in caring for horses. In addition, riding instructor Niall Byrne from RACE - the Racing Academy and Centre of Education, was on hand to give children an opportunity to ride the racehorse simulator.
Peter Roe, Fairyhouse Racecourse Manager, commented: “We had a wonderful day on Wednesday hosting our HRI Racing Juniors education day here at Fairyhouse. The children’s energy and enthusiasm was fantastic and they were really interested to learn about all the different aspects of a race day and meet jockey Paddy O’Hanlon in the weigh room and trainer Thomas Dreaper and his horse Folly Master. We are looking forward to welcoming all the children and their families back over our three-day Easter Festival, especially on Easter Sunday for our family day.”
The objective of the HRI Racing Juniors education days is to encourage an affinity with racehorses among the younger generation and demonstrate the variety of careers available in the racing and breeding industry in Ireland.
INPHO Photography will syndicate REPRO FREE images to all photo desks.
HRI Racing Juniors education days are free to attend. To register your school’s interest for a HRI Racing Juniors education day at your local racecourse in 2025, please email: [email protected]
250 children from four local primary schools meet racehorse Folly Master at the Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Racing Juniors education day at Fairyhouse Racecourse on Wednesday April 2 as the County Meath racecourse gears-up for the Fairyhouse Easter Festival which runs from Saturday, April 19 - Monday April 21.
Easter Saturday, April 19 to Easter Monday, April 21
School children from Rathbeggan National School in Dunshaughlin, Rathfeigh National School in Tara, St Mary's Convent Primary School in Trim and St Paul’s National School in Ratoath took part in a special Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Racing Juniors education day at Fairyhouse Racecourse on Wednesday April 2 as the County Meath racecourse gears up for their three-day Easter Festival, Easter Saturday April 19 to Easter Monday, April 21.
250 primary school children got to go behind the scenes at the County Meath racecourse and meet Kilsallaghan-based trainer Thomas Dreaper and his racehorse Folly Master. Thomas explained what his job entails as a racehorse trainer as well as a typical day-to-day routine for his racehorses, their exercise schedule and diet, and how he prepares them to run in a race.
2022 Irish Grand National-winning jockey Paddy O’Hanlon brought the children into the weighroom to show them the jockeys’ changing room and the kit jockeys wear and use on race days including boots, back-protector, helmet and saddle.
Racecourse Manager Peter Roe and Track Foreman Richard Stapleton took the children on a course walk to see first-hand how the team prepare the track for the Easter Festival. They also met Luke Drought from the Fairyhouse team who led an interactive session with the students, demonstrating all the equipment used in caring for horses. In addition, riding instructor Niall Byrne from RACE - the Racing Academy and Centre of Education, was on hand to give children an opportunity to ride the racehorse simulator.
Peter Roe, Fairyhouse Racecourse Manager, commented: “We had a wonderful day on Wednesday hosting our HRI Racing Juniors education day here at Fairyhouse. The children’s energy and enthusiasm was fantastic and they were really interested to learn about all the different aspects of a race day and meet jockey Paddy O’Hanlon in the weigh room and trainer Thomas Dreaper and his horse Folly Master. We are looking forward to welcoming all the children and their families back over our three-day Easter Festival, especially on Easter Sunday for our family day.”
The objective of the HRI Racing Juniors education days is to encourage an affinity with racehorses among the younger generation and demonstrate the variety of careers available in the racing and breeding industry in Ireland.
INPHO Photography will syndicate REPRO FREE images to all photo desks.
HRI Racing Juniors education days are free to attend. To register your school’s interest for a HRI Racing Juniors education day at your local racecourse in 2025, please email: [email protected]
250 children from four local primary schools meet racehorse Folly Master at the Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Racing Juniors education day at Fairyhouse Racecourse on Wednesday April 2 as the County Meath racecourse gears-up for the Fairyhouse Easter Festival which runs from Saturday, April 19 - Monday April 21.