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It’s good to make plans to travel.

Living in England, you’d think I would be well travelled in the United Kingdom but sadly I haven’t ventured to Wales, Scotland or Ireland.

To be fair, I haven’t been to many racecourses but a trip to the Emerald Isle has been promised for far too long. In fact, I have plans to go to Killarney Racecourse which sits in the picturesque landscape of County Kerry.

It’s in the southern region and the province of Munster.

Horse racing is part of the Irish culture and the mountains of McGillycuddy’s Reeks have been whispering their name ever since I saw a photograph of the racecourse, nestled in the woodlands, a stones throw from Ross Castle and Loch Lien which is the largest of three lakes in Killarney.

Killarney Racecourse also known at ‘The Kingdom’ dates back to 1822. This left-handed oval course with a circuit of one mile two furlongs is one of the oldest racecourse in Ireland and hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing.

There are 13 meetings planned for 2024 from Sunday May 12^th – Monday 7^th October. Seven fixtures dedicated to the National Hunt including Ladies Day on Friday 19^th July. Tickets for Lee Strand Best Dressed (a prize for best dressed man and woman) cost 25 Euros. This meeting starts at approximately 1:45pm.

In general, the cost of entry is 20 Euros.

Dining at Killarney Racecourse includes The Panoramic Restaurant with views of the Killarney National Park, Ross Castle, The Lakes of Killarney and McGillycuddy Reeks.

For a variety of hospitality packages contact the racecourse.

A sample menu includes:

Starters – Chicken Liver Pate, Fantail Of Galia Melon or Cream Of Leek & Potato Soup.

Main Course: Honey Roasted Loin Of Bacon, Fillet Of Hake, Oven Roasted Bell Peppers.

Dessert: Tiramisu, Chocolate Praline, Rhubarb & Strawberry Cheesecake.

In addition, there is a BBQ Package, Carvery and Refreshment Options.

Also, there’s the Jim Culloty Bar which offers live music and the best pint of Guinness you will ever drink.

For those who are interested in annual membership to the course it costs 180 Euros, while double membership costs 270 Euros. This includes:

• 2 Tickets for every Killarney race day (13 fixtures)

• 2 Complimentary tickets to selected race days at Mallow, Limerick and Punchestown

• Entrance to bar/private members area at Killarney Racecourse

• Horse racing enthusiast social meet and greet

• Entry into several members draws

• Entry into The Grand National draw

Annual membership to the Ross Golf Course (which is in the centre of the racecourse) costs 350 Euros for new members. This nine hole golf course was opened in 1995 and one of the most scenic in Ireland.

Travelling from London Stansted Airport to Kerry Airport takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and a round trip with Ryanair and costs just £30 without luggage.

The splendid Lake Hotel on the shore of Loch Lein with mountain views cost from £101 – £180 per night.

You can get to the Killarney Racecourse in 15 minutes from Kerry Airport, while Shannon and Cork Airports are 90 minutes.

Sea Access to Killarney is via ferry from Rosslare, Dublin, Dun Laoghaire, Belfast and Larne.

A train and bus station are just half mile from Killarney Racecourse and 10 minutes walk from the town centre.

Why not add to the occasion travelling by horse and carriage (Jaunty car) to enjoy the fresh air and splendid views.

I can’t wait to get to Killarney and enjoy some of that famous Irish hospitality and more.

The National Hunt isn’t one of my favourite codes of racing. In fact, beyond the odd venture to Huntingdon, heading to Norfolk, one of two tracks in the county, the other one being on the North Sea coast at Great Yarmouth, I’m a complete novice to steeplechases, hurdles and flat races.

I was looking forward to going to Fakenham.

I was invited by my cousin, Danny, and a small group of friends including, Kevin, Dave Smith and Buster. The journey by car took us from our home town of March, Cambridgeshire to Fakenham via the A47. The trip took just over an hour.

We arrived about an hour before the start of racing to a very rural location with a crowd that looked like they come off the farm with associated apparel and army of Wellington boots. I was struck by how cold it was. In fact, it was freezing cold. The course allowed dogs on leads and I saw a greyhound that couldn’t stop shivering.

Thinking about the date of this meeting it was many years back in 2015, the final season of jockey A.P. McCoy. He was there racing that day and there was a buzz around the course and crowds around the on course bookies. The man himself was enjoying the moment with racegoers taking photos while others got their racecard signed.

Fakenham has 11 fixtures each season.

The Grandstand & Paddock admission from £15 – £20 (booking online in advance is cheapest) and affordable. For that you get:

• Access to the Grandstand viewing area

• View of all the parade ring

• Bookmakers

• Tote facilities

• Food outlets

• Trade stands

• Licensed bar

• Britbet Betting Shop

The course is left-handed and almost square in shape and a circuit of about one mile. The steeplechase course is on the outside of the hurdle course and six hurdles per circuit with an open ditch as the penultimate obstacle.

The first meeting at Fakenham took place in 1905 attracting 37 runners. However, in 1926 hurdle races were introduced as the number of steeplechases dwindled.

In 1965 with fears that Fakenham may be closed, the formation of Fakenham Racecourse Ltd led to the qualification of funding from the Levy Board. In addition, part of the racecourse was leased for sports facilities including a golf course.

I can’t remember the horses that run on my visit to Fakenham or whether I placed a bet but I do remember enjoying a great day with good company. I guess I’m not alone with that opinion considering it has received royal patronage from King Edward VII to King Charles III who become patron of the course in 2000. In fact, the 1 million pound members’ stand is named ‘The Prince of Wales Stand’.

It was soon time to go home but not before going into the old Long Bar (which has now been replaced by The Adrian Flux Bar) as much to warm up as have a pint of beer.

Soon after the last race, we made our way to the car and back home.

It was the first and last time I went to Fakenham races but I would like to go again. Even on the coldest day it has a warm feel about the place and there is something truly beautiful about this little course.

I didn’t get the autograph of A P McCoy but I saw the joy of a crowd who witnessed a racing legend.

As John McCririck used to say: ‘Go racing!’

How right he was.

Is there a doctor in the house?

No, he’s at Fakenham racecourse doing his job on a cold, winter’s day.

You may have been to a racecourse meeting, watching the horses walk around the paddock, owners and trainers chatting with excitement about the race to come, and mingled in the crowd is someone with a medical bag, observing all and sundry, especially the jockeys.

You notice someone with an armband which details Doctor!

It’s no surprise to find a doctor is an important part of proceedings, in fact the meeting wouldn’t even go ahead if the medical provisions weren’t in place.

In fact, it is a legal requirement for at least one ambulance, doctor and vet to be on course at all times in case there is an injury to jockey or spectator. As a business, it would be a requirement to cover public liability with health and safety measures.

But what is the role of a doctor at the racecourse?

The doctor oversees the medical facilities ensuring the racecourse is properly equipped so staff can handle injuries and emergencies. These must comply with racing regulation set out by the British Horse Racing Authority (BHA) and other relevant bodies.

It is important that lines of communication are clear with racing officials, trainers, jockeys and stakeholders to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved.

The major roles of the doctor include:

• Emergency response to administer immediate first aid and stabilise injured individuals and make decision whether to transport an injured person to hospital.

• Pre-race assessment of jockeys to ensure they are fit to ride and check injuries or illness that could affect their safety.

• The doctor may be involved in the collection of blood or urine samples regarding drug testing (also alcohol) to ensure participants adhere to the rules and regulations of the sport.

• If injuries occur concussion protocols are in place to determine if a jockey is fit to continue racing.

• In addition, the doctor may need attend injuries or illness of spectators.

• The doctor has to liaise with other medical professionals such as paramedics, nurses to provide comprehensive medical care and swift response to emergencies.

The role of the doctor at British horse racing fixtures is crucial for the safety of everyone whether jockey or member of the public. They often go unnoticed but play an important role in the health and safety, ready to respond instantly and with professionalism.