Welcome to our guide to Bellewstown Racecourse.
Situated on a beautiful hilltop location with scenic views looking across the Mountains of Mourne and the Irish Sea, Bellewstown Racecourse is just a short drive north of Dublin. It attracts big crowds for its evening races throughout the summer.
If you are looking for the latest betting tips for Bellewstown, check out our complete guide to Bellewstown Racecourse tips.
Find out more about Bellewstown Racecourse:
Contents
- 1 Overview of Bellewstown Races
- 2 Bellewstown Racing Tips
- 3 Bellewstown Racecourse History
- 4 Bellewstown Racecourse Map
- 5 Main Races and Events at Bellewstown
- 6 Bellewstown Racecourse Address
- 7 How To Get To Bellewstown Racecourse
- 8 Hotels near Bellewstown Racecourse
- 9 Betting Shops Local to Bellewstown Racecourse
- 10 Summary of Bellewston Races
Overview of Bellewstown Races
Bellewstown Racecourse is small in stature but big in heart, and forms one of Ireland’s smallest racecourses.
Hosting a variety of both National Hunt and flat racing fixtures through the summer evenings in July and August, Bellewstown Racecourse often attracts sell-out crowds and is easily accessible by road.
Its picturesque setting makes it a firm fan favourite for photo opportunities, and it is popular among those celebrating special occasions and events.
Bellewstown Racecourse doesn’t have a packed schedule of races but does usually hold at least two summer festivals a year.
Popular with both tourists and seasoned racegoers, it is not unusual for events to sell out in advance, so booking is always recommended.
All events are held in the evening and there are often fairground rides, street food vendors and other entertainment put on surrounding the track.
All races at Bellewstown Racecourse are shown live on Racing TV.
Bellewstown Racing Tips
| Meeting | Time | Name | Add To Bet Slip |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | –:– | — | |
| No Race Fixtures found today |
Bellewstown Racecourse History
Although the exact origins of racing at Bellewstown can’t be traced, the first known record dates back to 1780, when King George III sponsored a race at the track. A £100 race called His Majesty’s Plate, the existence of horse racing facilities in the area is therefore implied through at least that summer, if not for years before.
A brief mention of racing at Bellewstown is made even earlier, back in 1726, in the Dublin Gazette, but details are not forthcoming.
Originally, a cricket ground was located in the middle of the horse racing track, although this is no longer the case. Originally believed to be a National Hunt course only, it now hosts both jump and flat racing.
Bellewstown Racecourse Map
There are two tracks at Bellewston, the flat and the jumps track.
Bellewstown Flat Course
Below is a map of the Bellewstown flat track:
The track itself at Bellewstown Racecourse is a sharp left-handed oval about nine furlongs in length. Undulating throughout, the final two furlongs are slightly uphill. The course suits handy, nippy horses
Bellewstown Jumps Track
Below is a map of the Bellewstown jumps track:
For National Hunt racing, there are five hurdles to a circuit; no fences.
The high ground of the course means it’s on the firm side and well-watered.
Main Races and Events at Bellewstown
Perhaps unusually, there is no ‘crowning jewel’ in the Bellewstown Racecourse calendar – all events are equally attended and tend to sell out.
All races at Bellewstown take place in the evening, and the views of sunset are truly spectacular from its spot on the Hill of Crockafotha.
Races at Bellewstown Racecourse aren’t considered particularly challenging, but their large crowds make for a great place to win and a fantastic welcoming atmosphere for novice horses and jockeys.
Bellewstown Racecourse Address
The address for Bellewstown races is:
Bellewstown Racecourse
Collierstown
Bellewstown
County Meath
Ireland
How To Get To Bellewstown Racecourse
The ways to get to Bellewstown races are:
- By road – the village of Bellewstown is located a 15-minute drive from the town of Drogheda and less than an hour north of Dublin. Located just off the All Ireland Route M1 motorway, the course is easily accessible by road, and there is plenty of parking available at the venue.
- By rail – the nearest railway station to Bellewstown Racecourse is Gormanstown, but Drogheda is not far away either. Trains from all over the country serve Drogheda and take an hour from Dublin and two hours from Belfast by Irish Rail.
- By bus – Bus Éireann run services to Bellewstown from Drogheda and the routes go past the racecourse’s site. There are no specific bus services to or from the venue; however, the proximity and size of the village mean that everything is within walking distance.
- By air – the nearest airport to Bellewstown Racecourse is Dublin Airport, which is less than half an hour’s drive away and serves routes internationally.
Hotels near Bellewstown Racecourse
Bellewstown itself is just a rural village, and so there are no overnight accommodation options directly on the racecourse’s doorstep, but there is plenty of choice in the surrounding area and Drogheda.
The City North Hotel and Conference Centre, situated on the M1 motorway, is the ideal choice for those who need to travel in and out of the area quickly. Rooms here start at less than £100 per night, and the business facilities are excellent, so it’s possible to work during the day and attend the races in the evening.
In Drogheda town centre, The D Hotel is a modern hotel situated on the banks of the River Boyne, and the family-run 4-star Windsor B&B is a popular option, offering reasonably priced rooms throughout the year.
There are some Airbnb and guesthouse options in Drogheda for groups, but the accommodation is primarily hotels. For those looking to really make an occasion of their visit to Bellewstown Racecourse, the five-star Tankardstown House Hotel is just a short drive away and offers unbeatable facilities and service, all set in an 18th-century townhouse. A premium option, rooms at Tankardstown House begin at around £250 per night.
Betting Shops Local to Bellewstown Racecourse
Bellewstown Racecourse offers betting facilities on-site, as well as independent bookmakers situated around the track, allowing racegoers to place a bet.
Mobile signal isn’t the best in Bellewstown, so if those attending want to place a bet on their device, it’s advised to do so in advance.
There is a single branch of BoyleSport in Bellewstown village, but other bookies can be found north in Drogheda, which has branches of BoyleSports, Paddy Power and Tully Bookmakers.
Also nearby, there’s a branch of BoyleSport in Roseville near Bettystown Beach and an Offshore Bookmakers in Laytown.
Bellewstown Racecourse was the location of the Yellow Sam betting coup in 1975, which is still well remembered locally. Orchestrated by Bernard Joseph Curley, an underhanded horse and easy communication channels between the racecourse and bookies were taken advantage of to net a profit of £2million – one of the largest ever made in Irish betting history.
Summary of Bellewston Races
A quirky and picturesque Irish racing track, Bellewstown has lots to offer.
Whilst racing is not strictly of the highest quality, the on-course atmosphere and venue are great, and it really is a lot of fun. It is a racecourse popular with locals, tourists, families and racing fans.
Definitely worth a visit.
