First steeplechase to be re-enacted 260 years on

A horse racing tradition that has endured, and blossomed, since it first took place in north Cork, in 1752, will be re-enacted on Saturday, Oct 13.

The Doneraile Development Association and Doneraile Point to Point Committee will host the 260th anniversary chase re-enactment of the first recorded steeplechase match, from Buttevant Church to St Mary’s Church, Doneraile.

The race, from steeple to steeple, gave birth to steeplechasing — now known in the UK and Ireland as national hunt racing, and also popular in Canada, the US, Australia and France.