Dundalk Stadium is a horse and greyhound racing venue in Ireland. It is located to the north of Dundalk in County Louth.
The total build cost €35million with a modern grandstand, elevated viewing areas, restaurant and bars.
Horse racing The Dundalk all-weather horse track to go alongside the new greyhound track that had opened earlier, officially opened on 26 August 2007 costing a further €24million.
The course is a floodlit 1¼ mile left-handed oval, and races are run on an all-weather Polytrack surface.
A turf racecourse at Dundalk, which was mainly used for National Hunt events, was closed in 2001. The present all-weather track, reserved for flat races, was opened in August 2007. The highest class horse races to be run at the venue are the Diamond Stakes, which was promoted from Listed to Group 3 status in 2009, and the Mercury Stakes which was upgraded to Group 3 status in 2018.
Notable races Month DOW Race Name Type Grade Distance Age/SexFriday Patton StakesA W Flat Listed3yoFriday Diamond StakesA W Flat Group 33yo +Friday Mercury StakesA W Flat Group 32yo +
Greyhound racing In 1999 the Dundalk Race Company PLC and Dundealgan Greyhound Racing Company Limited merged to form Dundalk Racing (1999) Ltd. This would allow a new horse racing circuit to be built over the existing turf course and a greyhound track inside the main course. The previous Dundalk Ramparts Greyhound Stadium was closed on 20 November 2000 during which time the horse racecourse was undergoing major changes and despite resistance from the Horseracing Authority both sides were encouraged by the success of Paschal Taggart's Shelbourne Park venture.
The Irish racing scene was experiencing some promising growth and Dundalk officially opened their new Dundalk Stadium on 29 November 2003 to the cost of €11 million. The minister for sport John O'Donoghue conducted the opening honours and thanks were given by CEO Jim Martin to Paschal Taggart chairman of the Bord na gCon/Irish Greyhound Board for their help.
The track measures 550 yards in circumference providing a galloping circuit as opposed to the previous tight circuit of 440 yards. The kennels are located in a renovated building that was formerly the Tote for the racecourse but plans for a new eighty runner complex are in motion.
Competitions The Dundalk International is held annually. It is a prestigious invitation event held for Ireland's leading greyhounds and also attracts some of the UK's top hounds. The event is one of the richest one-off races in Ireland (€20,000 in 2016) and is an integral part of the Irish greyhound racing calendar after being inaugurated in 1968. The Irish Sprint Cup (formerly the Irish National Cup) arrived at the track in 2004.
Dundalk International Irish Sprint Cup
Track records Current
Yards Greyhound Time Date Notes350 Blame the Game18.4615 November 2019400 Broadstrand Syd 20.5720 July 2024Irish Sprint Cup heats400 hurdles Distant Legend21.9015 August 2009525 Swanley Chick28.141 August 2020550 Droopys Verve 29.3912 July 2018575 Vaguely Noble30.9212 July 2016600 Boleys Fella32.3012 July 2019620 Dromana Blue 33.515 December 2007670 Prince Monalulu36.474 February 2005900 Ballymac Bonnie49.8212 July 2016 Previous Yards Greyhound Time Date Notes350 Mulcair Jo 18.71 12 July 2006 350 Kildallon Ranger 18.4912 July 2012360 Copeland Ranger 19.43 15 July 2004 360 Lauragh Empire 19.43 13 August 2004 360 Wellington 19.12 30 October 2004400 Mabels Dilemma 21.11 15 August 2005 Irish Sprint Cup Final400 Droopys Rodger 21.06 21 July 2006 400 Ciaras Castle 20.96 23 March 2007 400 Gingko 20.95 21 July 2007 400 Heisman 20.9428 July 2017Irish Sprint Cup second round400 Droopys Steel 20.813 August 2018Irish Sprint Cup third round400 Grangeview Ten 20.758 August 2020Irish Sprint Cup semi final400 Brodys Magic 20.738 August 2020Irish Sprint Cup semi final410 Geldrops Touch 21.55 26 February 2005 525 Graigues Dynasty 28.62 1 April 2004525 Killeigh Grand 28.53 15 October 2004525 Phoenix Paddy 28.46 3 November 2006525 Open Door 28.39 12 July 2007525 Ballymac Tipp 28.31 20 September 2010 525 Burnt Beans28.1720 May 2017550 Hes The Bizz 29.88 5 February 2004550 Holborn Major 29.85 12 July 2004550 Like A Shot 29.81 25 February 2005 550 Droopys Electric 29.73 12 July 2006 Dundalk International550 Si Senor 29.47 12 July 2007 550 Droopys Roddick 29.4012 July 2016575 Lunar Boy31.45 4 September 2004575 Dromana Blue31.14 5 December 2007575 Stateside Troika31.09 14 December 2013600 Mobile Dubh32.90 4 March 2004600 Grandad Pat32.84 19 November 2005600 Fairly Smart32.82 21 October 2006 600 Ballyhill Beauty32.59 23 March 2009 600 Ballycanal Chief32.5715 August 2010620 Air Force Honcho33.94 22 April 2004620 Westmead Force33.93 3 July 2005620 Martinstown Lass33.93 15 August 2005620 Martinstown Lass33.86 13 January 2006620 Winetavern Oscar33.72 4 February 2006 900 Shelbourne Kay 50.61 12 November 2005900 Hulkster 50.46 12 July 2006900 Shelbourne Kay 50.14 15 August 2006900 Flying Winner 49.9912 July 2008910 Air Force Honcho51.08 20 November 2004 960 Beaming Surprise54.62 22 May 2004400 HDistant Legend 21.90 15 August 2009
References