My Irish Ancestry

[ibetponies]

So, I have been using ancestry.com and DNA tests to look at my lineage. While I am not a 100% pure thoroughbred it does appear as if I am over 90% Irish (Father's side from Kerry and Mom's from Cork City) which I find kinda interesting. It has also led me to embrace my Irish roots a bit which of course has led me to a desire to learn more about Irish horse racing.  I'll pick up a book and "do my own research" (yikes) but I'm interested in knowing if any forum members follow the Irish racing fraternity. I would love to stream some races and bet on a few with my American dollars. Anyone do this? Any and all information and knowledge would be appreciated. Thanks.

Tiocfaidh ár lá!

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[Badactor]

Great to see you back on the forum, Ibet...!

[eye123]

Aye, me grandmother was a Fitzgerald, cousin to Rose herself. Irish, thru and thru.

[tenfurlongs]

Hi Jeff, good to see you posting here again. Happy holiday season to you!

After losing interest in much of American racing (other than high-class turf racing) over the last few years, I've been rejuvenated by taking a crack at UK/IRE racing. I found the courses, coverage, and characters to be fascinating. The learning curve wasn't too steep, once you could wrap your head around how they classify races there. Many sprint races, and even some mile races, are run on a straight course, which I really like. And, in my opinion, Ireland has the best race caller around in Mr. Jerry Hannon:




Irish racing has two basic seasons. From March through October, they run their big 'flat' turf races (flat only meaning not over jumps), and some lesser jump races. November through April is the big jump race season, with hurdles (lower 'brushy' obstacles) and steeplechases (higher fences, ditches, water jumps and other scary stuff).

Here are some websites that can help you get a basic handle on it all:


Course guide- click on Irish courses tab, then select a racetrack to see the layout and other pertinent information.

www.attheraces.com/course-guides 

News, handicapping and information- similar to DRF here in the States.

www.irishracing.com/

Horse Racing Ireland website (the governing body of racing).

www.goracing.ie/


That should get you started, and feel free to continue the discussion here if you'd like. I have lots of 'bad' opinions, I'm sure .

Also, I'm hoping that Hooper and Spiderjohn will chime in, as well as CherokeeScot, they all have experience with ownership groups, etc. overseas, including the Emerald Isle.




TW

[1hooper]

Great grandparents from Ireland. Dad's dna +95%.
Start here. www.irishracing.com
www.goracing.ie

[1hooper]

TW beat me to it.
You will love following the sport there.

[ibetponies]

Hey, gents thanks so much,I really appreciate it and Hoop I see that Tom beat you by 3 minutes - almost a dead heat! I think I'll spend the afternoon perusing the websites. This is gonna be fun. Cheers and happiest of New Years!