Strand and deliver.... There's nothing quite like the Laytown Races

The first day of summer arrives, and what do you do? Head to the beach of course. Well, in the region of 4,500 people had the same idea on Monday evening.

The summer sunshine appeared belatedly, much to the delight of the organisers of Laytown Races, the 156 year-old unique strand event which takes place once a year, every September, the only race event run on a beach under the rules of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB).

“The power of prayer!” declares chairperson, Joe Collins, taking in the scene.

There's a narrow window to get the six races completed between tides - the first race is delayed by 10 minutes to let the sea settle.

It's a huge family day out with buggies and youngsters galore and queues for the ice cream and food vans. To quench the thirst of the older racegoers, the appropriately named Rockshore was on tap, although the going wasn't too hard! (Officially: Standard). Jim Callaghan's jazz band entertained, and there was face-painting and hair braiding for the kids.

In the parade ring, Marina Reddan, ably assisted by George King, was judging the best turned out horses in each race, whose groom received €100 from Reddan's of Bettystown.

“You really have to reward somebody who puts a great deal of work into preparing a horse for a race, and they appreciate it too,” Marina says. “The owners or trainers wouldn't have a clue how to do a plait!” adds George.

A trainer who was enjoying success was UK-based Ian Williams, whose reserve, Ivasecret, came home 7/4 favourite in the Tote.ie Claiming Race, ridden by Seamie Heffernan. He attends every year and stables his horses at Bellewstown racecourse overnight.

Justice minister Helen McEntee was on hand to present the prize, as husband, Paul and their boys enjoyed some ice creams. The Meath East TD was delighted to meet Mary Cosgrave, daughter of the late Taoiseach, Liam, who was stewarding at the course.

“I'm delighted for the organisers that the evening has gone so well, that they have had such good weather for this evening and such a great crowd,” said Ms McEntee.

“Because no matter what the crowd or what the weather, the same amount of planning and organisation has to go into it.”

The minister was also prevailed upon to present the winning connections in the Pride of Place Maiden, which saw Seamie Heffernan bring Claire O'Connell's Roman Harry first home along the strand.

Housing estates in Laytown were matched with each runner in this race, with Roman Harry carrying the Castlemary estate across its silks. The areas representing the first, second and third horses across the winning line receive for their estates a €500, €400, and €300 voucher for Elite Garden Village, Julianstown.

Amanda Barry represented Castlemary; Claire Moore represented St Columbus Villas (Jeaniemacaroney, second) while Jennifer Bailey represented Station Road (Lohengrin, third).

Roman Harry had finished at 12/1, but Amanda had backed him at 14/1 earlier, so achieved a double!

Also enjoying the races was Dolores McMahon from Navan, who was celebrating her birthday – and getting her bus pass. “ I won't get it till Friday so there's no money lost yet!” she declared.

County council cathaoirleach and no stranger to the beach, Cllr Sharon Tolan, presented the trophy for the last race to Andrew Duff, representing the Ger Lyons stable, after 13/8 joint favourite Tough Talk's win.

As some racegoers lingered after the last to enjoy the summer evening and the hospitality, racecourse secretary-manager, Jessica Cahalan, could semi-relax, thankful for the great weather and crowds, and that all had gone well as the rails on the sand came down.

“There's great local support for the races, as was evident this evening,” she said. “And we had a group of 45 farmers from Wales, on their way to the Ploughing Championships, as well as a group of 40 or 50 from Galway Racing Club, and lots from England, so they come from all over for it. We started setting up last Tuesday.”

And the jockeys had a novel way of cooling down too – they had brought their swim trunks and towels, not your normal hot shower after the races, more a cold dip!