TRALEE RACECOURSE  

Racing in Tralee has a long tradition. The first recorded meeting took place in 1767 when racing took place on the lands of the 'Gentry' and racecourses were movable. The Tralee area were on the periphery of the town and at least six different locations were used.
  Racing moved to Ballybeggan Park, its current site, in 1898. The Park was formerly a Deer Park owned by the family of Daniel O'Connell, the Liberator. Before then, admission to the races was free but a fence was erected around the Park to ensure that everyone paid. Racing continued until the 1930's when the Economic Recession forced the company into liquidation.

 

  
The present Company bought the property in 1946. 50 people contributed amounts of £100/£200 towards its purchase from the O'Connell family. Racing resumed in October 1946. The Directors hit on the idea of the Rose of Tralee Festival. The original Directors of the Festival were drawn from the members of the Race Company. With the success of the Festival, racing thrived.
  The principal races at the track are the Carling Gold Cup andDenny Gold Medal. Captain Christy won the Carling Gold Cup before going on to record a success in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The great Vintage Crop won the Carling Gold Cup in 1992 before landing the Caesarewitch of that year, and to show his versatility, going on to land the Irish St Leger and Melbourne Cup in 1993.

The wonderful mare Dawn Run was successful at Tralee before landing that reamrkable double, the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle in 1984 and Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1986.

Montys Pass won the Denny Gold Medal at Tralee before gaining success at Aintree in the Grand National.

I acknowledge the contribution by Timothy Griffin for providing the detail on this page.
If you have badges, racecards, pictures of the racecourse or further details about the course, including your memories, then email johnslusar@fsmail.net