We are closing in on the New Year, as 2014s busy horse racing schedule comes to a close, after another exhilarating 12 months of amazing action.
But the excitement hasn't finished yet, there are plenty more races throughout the country right up to the last days of 2014, as well as the schedule for next year having been officially released.
Friday December 26th – Leopardstown – Christmas Festival
The Leopardstown Christmas Festival and is one of the highlights of the Irish racing and social calendar featuring seven Grade 1 races over four days. The Racing Post day kicks off the first of four high calibre National Hunt race days and features the Racing Post Novice Steeplechase (Grade 1) on St. Stephens Day.
Last year JP McManus's Defy Logic won the battle of the front-runners in a decisive Racing Post Novice Chase victory. Trained in Wexford by Paul Nolan, Defy Logic went stride for stride with the Willie Mullins-trained Champagne Fever from the off, but when his rival pecked on landing before the home turn he stole an advantage and was never caught.
St Stephen's Day at Leopardstown is one of the busiest days of the Irish Racing calendar, traditionally known for meeting friends, enjoying high calibre racing, entertainment, food and fashion.
Thursday 1st January – Cheltenham – New Year's Meeting
Cheltenham's prestigious New Year's Day meeting is a favourite among racing fans, bringing that sense of build up to the main Cheltenham raceday event later in the year. This meeting brings a huge following with thousands in attendance every year to celebrate the end of a great year of racing, and the beginning of a new one to look forward to.
Saturday 24th January – Cheltenham – Trials meeting
Dubbed ‘the jewel in jump racing's crown', Cheltenham Racecourse plays host to some of the best National Hunt racing action in the world, set in 350 spectacular acres at the foot of the Cotswold hills at Prestbury Park.
Since opening in 1831, its reputation for offering first-class racing and hospitality has stretched across the globe, with a capacity today of 67,500 across four enclosures including The Best Mate, Tattersalls, Club and The Centaur.
The venue itself is a natural amphitheatre, with it's the twists of the course, the test of the fences and hurdles, and the fight to finish up the legendary Cheltenham hill that will combine to challenge the strength of top racehorses and riders at the famous Trials meeting.
Tuesday 10th March – Friday 13th March – Cheltenham Festival
The Festival and Gold Cup 2015 will include a feast of gripping horse racing, Guinness drinking and hat wearing, not to mention more than £600 million-worth of wagers, at the jewel in jump racing's crown, Cheltenham Racecourse.
With a history dating back almost two centuries, Cheltenham has become synonymous with world class National Hunt horse racing and hundreds of thousands of people will descend on the Gloucestershire spa town for the world-famous spectacle of The Festival 2015.
Some of the best and bravest horses and jockeys, nervous and excited trainers and owners, and a wide cast of human characters will once again be uniting, determined to have the time of their lives next year at Cheltenham Festival.
