Speaking exclusively to BoyleSports, Irish jockey Sean Flanagan has called Leopardstown ‘the best track in the world’.
With the festive racing season fast approaching, where you can bet on Leopardstown Christmas Festival odds with BoyleSports, Flanagan revealed where difficulties are in navigating the Co. Dublin racecourse.
He also chatted to us about how racing festivals in Ireland compare to those in England and what it’s like being a jockey during the hectic Christmas period.
Leopardstown Is the Best Track in the World (With The Right Horse)
If you are on a good horse, it’s the best track in the world. You can travel and jump. It’s a fine big galloping track.
It’s stiff enough from the third last to the line, it takes some getting. It looks flat from the stands, but if you go down to the second last hurdle and look up towards the winning post, you are a long way below it. It’s a gradual climb all the way to the finish.
It is a very fair track and you won’t get hemmed in. Things can get a bit messy though in say the two-mile handicap hurdle at Christmas when there are 25 runners!
I’ve been over to England a lot more in recent years. The tracks are phenomenal. They are fine big galloping tracks, and the fences come at you so quick. There’s so much jumping in it.
Over here, there might be a little bit less jumping, but a bit more in the jumping, as the fences are a little bit bigger and more solid.
*You can get Leopardstown racing tips here at BoyleSports plus coverage of all the big races over the festive period.
No Secret To Success of Irish Festivals
The Festivals in Ireland are gaining real traction. But the smaller midweek fixtures are better attended in England than in Ireland. I flew to Nottingham last year with a couple of the lads and I was amazed how many people were there.
We have a very good type of horse here in Ireland.
The cost to travel to Cheltenham is really high now. That is having an impact. For a couple of days and a hotel you could fly to Australia for the same price.
I hope Ireland doesn’t fall into the same trap.
I don’t believe the prize money in the UK is as bad as some people think. There are a lot of very valuable handicaps.
Where they fall down is the value of a Grade 1. It should be worth much more than it is. There are a lot of £100,000 handicap hurdles and a Grade 1 worth £50,000. It doesn’t make sense.
A Grade 1 should be £100,000 and the handicap a bit less. We are very lucky with the prize money in Ireland and the top owners.
*The next fixture at Leopardstown is the Christmas Festival from the 26-29th of December and you can find the Leopardstown racecard plus those for the other meetings over the Christmas racing period at BoyleSports.
I Can Have a Good Dinner on Christmas Day – I Don’t Need to Worry About the Weight as I Can Sweat It Off
In 2010 there was a stack of snow and racing was abandoned here. I remember everyone was whooping and celebrating and saying, ‘Let’s go out for a beer.’ I didn’t know what to do with myself! I’d never done that.
Now with a six year old, a five year old and a two year old it’s great, the buzz is back for Christmas. It’s now 25 laps round the field on the ponies!
Regarding the grub, I’m not a heavy fella so I can have a good dinner. If I have to lose a pound or two, I can easily sweat it off. I don’t really have to worry about my weight.
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