Dundalk Stadium


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

Greyhound racing

In 1999 the Dundalk Race Company PLC and Dundealgan Greyhound Racing Company Limited merged to form Dundalk Racing 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 and is an integral part of the Irish greyhound racing calendar after being inaugurated in 1968. The Irish Sprint Cup arrived at the track in 2004.
  • Dundalk International
  • Irish Sprint Cup

    Track records

Current
YardsGreyhoundTimeDateNotes
350Blame the Game18.4615 November 2019
400Broadstrand Syd20.5720 July 2024Irish Sprint Cup heats
400 hurdlesDistant Legend21.9015 August 2009
525Swanley Chick28.141 August 2020
550Droopys Verve29.3912 July 2018
575Vaguely Noble30.9212 July 2016
600Boleys Fella32.3012 July 2019
620Dromana Blue33.515 December 2007
670Prince Monalulu36.474 February 2005
900Ballymac Bonnie49.8212 July 2016

Previous
YardsGreyhoundTimeDateNotes
350 Mulcair Jo18.7112 July 2006
350Kildallon Ranger 18.4912 July 2012
360 Copeland Ranger19.4315 July 2004
360 Lauragh Empire19.4313 August 2004
360 Wellington19.1230 October 2004
400 Mabels Dilemma21.1115 August 2005 Irish Sprint Cup Final
400 Droopys Rodger21.0621 July 2006
400 Ciaras Castle20.9623 March 2007
400 Gingko20.9521 July 2007
400Heisman20.9428 July 2017Irish Sprint Cup second round
400Droopys Steel20.813 August 2018Irish Sprint Cup third round
400Grangeview Ten20.758 August 2020Irish Sprint Cup semi final
400Brodys Magic20.738 August 2020Irish Sprint Cup semi final
410 Geldrops Touch21.5526 February 2005
525 Graigues Dynasty28.621 April 2004
525 Killeigh Grand28.5315 October 2004
525 Phoenix Paddy28.463 November 2006
525 Open Door28.3912 July 2007
525 Ballymac Tipp28.3120 September 2010
525Burnt Beans28.1720 May 2017
550 Hes The Bizz29.885 February 2004
550 Holborn Major29.8512 July 2004
550 Like A Shot29.8125 February 2005
550 Droopys Electric29.7312 July 2006 Dundalk International
550 Si Senor29.4712 July 2007
550Droopys Roddick 29.4012 July 2016
575 Lunar Boy31.45 4 September 2004
575 Dromana Blue31.14 5 December 2007
575 Stateside Troika31.0914 December 2013
600 Mobile Dubh32.904 March 2004
600 Grandad Pat32.8419 November 2005
600 Fairly Smart32.8221 October 2006
600 Ballyhill Beauty32.5923 March 2009
600Ballycanal Chief32.5715 August 2010
620 Air Force Honcho33.9422 April 2004
620 Westmead Force33.933 July 2005
620 Martinstown Lass33.9315 August 2005
620 Martinstown Lass33.8613 January 2006
620 Winetavern Oscar33.724 February 2006
900 Shelbourne Kay50.6112 November 2005
900 Hulkster50.4612 July 2006
900 Shelbourne Kay50.1415 August 2006
900 Flying Winner49.9912 July 2008
910 Air Force Honcho51.0820 November 2004
960 Beaming Surprise54.6222 May 2004
400 HDistant Legend21.9015 August 2009