Coolmore Tours

deeks

Anybody know if it's possible to organise tours of coolmore. My dad turns 70 shortly and I'd love to organise something like this for him if it's possible. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

midger

I'll second that for something similar...

diomed

I have no idea if you can go on a tour. Their website does not mention any tours, although they advertise tours of their American farms.

About fifteen years ago I went on a tour of Coolmore.
There were night classes in UCD, Belfield, about all aspects of horseracing:
racecourses; stud book, entries, racing administration; public relations; jockeys (Johnny Murtagh spoke well); trainers; breeding.

Christy Grassick, Coolmore manager, was to give the talk about stud farms, but he could not attend.
When that was announced we were very disappointed, but the course organiser then said Christy Grassick was sending three coaches to take the whole class to Coolmore for a tour on a Saturday. We were delighted.

I remember it was snowing in Belfield when we set out, but the weather was sunny in Coolmore.
We met Sadler's Wells, Grand Lodge, and other stallions.
We visited the broodmare barns where I met Oaks winner Shahtoush. The barn manager gave a talk about all that goes on there.
They drove us around the farms, and showed us everything.

They gave a nice lunch and Christy Grassick mingled and talked to everyone one to one.

You will probably get a refusal but why not send them an e-mail and ask.

slaneylad

I did the national stud recently and thoroughly enjoyed it. Couple of tours everyday included in the price of entry. It might be better going earlier in the year as a lot of the foals are gone now.


https://irishnationalstud.ie/opening-admission/

https://irishnationalstud.ie/attraction/living-legends/

Hurricane fly and Hardy Eustace came write up to the fence and even managed a picture with Hardy.

convert

It's be worth contacting Coolmore directly and seeing if they do arrange visits like this, or if there's something else they could offer you. It's alwaysnworth a try - worst they can say is no.

Somewhat related: I know they do offer tours as part of the 'stallion trail' which usually takes place in February.

chinguetti

Contact them as they're quite helpful. I've been in there a couple of times outside of the Stallion Tour and its well worth the trip. This time of the year you mightn't have a full tour but the worst they'll say is 'no'.

CeilingFly

This might be a good alternative for Sunday 10th September with racing afterwards in the Curragh

http://www.irishchampionsweekend.ie/the-curragh-thoroughbred-trail/

diomed

CeilingFly wrote: »

This might be a good alternative for Sunday 10th September with racing afterwards in the Curragh

http://www.irishchampionsweekend.ie/the-curragh-thoroughbred-trail/

Thanks for the link.
I booked one of the Trails just now, not my first choice as many are sold out.

slimshady007

Was lucky enough to be part of a group tour there through a friend. It was a few years ago now and not long after Montjeu had passed away (you could sense the genuine sadness when the guides spoke about him). Got to see a few of the stallions including Galileo, Rip Van Winkle and Pour Moi (Pour Moi wasn't long after arriving). Galileo was leaping and bucking on his way to the mating shed. When we met him on the way back he was like a pet lamb!

Guides really knew their stuff and talked about how the whole breeding system works - from the teaser horses to check whether the mare is ready to prevent the stallions from getting a kick if she's not, to the DVD evidence, to how some smaller stallions require a step to mount some of the bigger mares. Also talked about how they some of their stallions will be shipped internationally to coincide with breeding seasons at different times of the year. Galileo doesn't go anywhere though as he's too valuable. His fee was €300k at the time and far and away exceeded any other stallion fee there. The place was immaculate as you'd expect and the ground is covered in that foam like material you'd see in playgrounds to reduce the chances of a horse getting injured.

As for tours the guide did say they don't turn advertise tours but dont people away from visiting either as everyone could be a potential customer. The example he gave was one guy turning up a few years previously in an old banger, got out in a pair of wellies and had a square bale hanging out of the boot looking to have a look around. To date he had spent 3 million and counting with them according to the guide. For horse racing fans it's definitely worth going if you got the opportunity.

finbarrk

Wait until just before the covering season. No problem getting a look down there then. We did it a few years ago. Send them an email. They are helpful.

deeks

Thanks for all the help folks.

Just sent an e-mail so we'll see what happens.

Copper_pipe

Let us know if you get a reply