Special birthday plans for Navan Racecourse

This year marks 100 years since the foundation of Navan Racecourse and there are exciting plans in place to mark this special milestone on Ladbrokes Troytown Chase day, the flagship jump meeting on Sunday 21st November, which will be broadcast live on RTÉ television.

Farmer and local auctioneer Albert Lowry’s vision of establishing Navan Racecourse came to fruition in 1921 and on 16th September that year, Navan Racecourse, then named Proudstown Park and built at a total cost of £20,000, opened to much fanfare.

The Simonstown Plate, worth £83, was the first race on the card and was won by Bachelor’s Mark for owner and racecourse founder Albert Lowry, trained by Mr Dawson and ridden by J Patman.

Navan’s birthday celebrations on Sunday will include the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to honour the racecourse’s special anniversary. The plaque will be unveiled by Navan Racecourse Chairperson and racehorse trainer Noel Meade.

Navan Racecourse is donating 100 sapling trees to Meath County Council for the Navan town area including schools, housing estates and parks.

The Winter Village, a new experience for racegoers, will be in situ for the first time for Ladbrokes Troytown Chase day, and Navan’s birthday celebrations, and will include a 100th anniversary ‘walk down memory lane’ feature wall, displaying a picture collage of images from the last 100 years of racing at Navan.

The Winter Village aims to provide a continental market atmosphere with retail stalls, festive food treats and beverages, and entertainment, complimented by additional covered seating areas so visitors can enjoy the experience comfortably.

For the social racegoer, this special race day will also include the Newbridge Silverware best dressed competition where TV fashion stylist Marietta Doran will act as celebrity judge.

The best dressed winner will walk away with a stunning Newbridge Silverware 44-piece EPNS cutlery canteen and a €1000 cash prize.

To continue to the historical theme, a 20-piece vintage car show will take place in the car park and racecourse enclosure.

There will be live music throughout the day and after racing in the Navan 100 marquee.

“My team and I are very proud to celebrate Navan’s 100th anniversary and we are pulling out all the stops to ensure a fitting birthday celebration on Sunday 21st November that reflects the important historical, cultural and sporting role Navan Racecourse has played in Meath and to the wider racing community in Ireland throughout the past 100 years," said Navan Racecourse manager, Aidan McGarry

"We look forward to welcoming lots of racegoers to the track on Sunday 21st November for a very special race day.”

While the Bective and Proudstown Restaurants are now sold out, racegoers can still enjoy several race day hospitality and bar areas hosted by our recently appointed local caterers, the Balreask Bar & Restaurant.

To plan your day at the races and to buy tickets, please visit www.navanracecourse.ie