Page "Horse racing" Paragraph 55

Ireland has a rich history of horse racing ; point to pointing originated there and even today, jump racing ( National Hunt racing ) is more popular than racing on the flat.

As a result, every year Irish horse racing fans travel in huge numbers to the highlight event of the National Hunt calendar, the Cheltenham Festival, and in recent years Irish owned or bred horses have dominated the event.

Ireland has a thriving Thoroughbred breeding industry, stimulated by favourable tax treatment.

The world's largest Thoroughbred stud, Coolmore Stud, has its main farm there ( in addition to major operations in the U. S. and Australia ).

Notable Irish trainers include Dermot Weld, John Oxx and Aidan O ' Brien.

Notable jockeys include Kieren Fallon, Michael Kinane, Johnny Murtagh, Ruby Walsh and Tony McCoy.

The multiple Gold Cup winner Best Mate also hails from Ireland, while the great Red Rum was bred there, before moving across the Irish Sea to be trained.

Arkle, rated the greatest steeplechaser of all time, was bred and trained in Ireland and became a national hero through his exploits.

The racemare Dawn Run was another famous Irish champion.

Vincent O ' Brien who trained horses at Ballydoyle in Tipperary, was one of the most successful trainers of all time, in both National Hunt racing and on the flat.

Champion racehorses trained by Vincent O ' Brien on the flat include Nijinsky II, Sir Ivor, Ballymoss, Alleged, The Minstrel and El Gran Senor.