School children from four primary schools in Listowel participated in a Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Racing Juniors education day at Listowel Racecourse on September 9, ahead of the upcoming seven-day Harvest Festival starting September 21. The 140 fifth and sixth class pupils had the opportunity to go behind the scenes, meeting racehorse trainer Eoin McCarthy and his horse Jekiki, learning about training routines, diet, and race preparation. They also explored the jockeys’ weighroom with jockey Calum Hogan and toured the racecourse grounds with Head Groundsman Dan O’Connell to understand track maintenance.

Listowel Chairman Maurice Carroll highlighted the event as a valuable chance for young people to engage with horse racing, discover the variety of careers in the industry, and foster a connection with racehorses. The HRI Racing Juniors education days are free and aim to inspire the next generation of racegoers and industry professionals. Schools interested in hosting a similar event can register by contacting Horse Racing Ireland.