In pictures: Horses and jockeys hit the sands for the Laytown Races

The annual beachside racing event in Co Meath is the most famous beach meeting run in the world

Jockeys and their horses reflect in the water of Laytown Beach during the third race of the day at the Laytown Races in Co Meath on Tuesday. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times

Tue Sep 12 2023 - 19:35

Racing’s annual trip to the Laytown beach in Co Meath took place on Tuesday evening.

With a history going back over a century and a half, Laytown is the most famous beach meeting run anywhere in the world and the sole such fixture run in Ireland or Britain.

[ Rachael Blackmore chases first winner at Laytown’s historic beach fixture ]

Laytown and the Curragh are the only tracks in Ireland that jockey Rachel Blackmore has yet to ride a winner at.

Irish Times photographer Dara Mac Dónaill was on hand to capture the unique occasion.

A pair of jockeys prepare for the Laytown Races on Laytown Beach in Co Meath. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times

Horses trained by Adrian Joyce at the Laytown Races. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times

A jockey and their horse splashes in the waters of Laytown Beach. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times

Onlookers gather for the racing on the beach. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times

Alec Jeffrey and Michael McNamara (back), both from Bettystown at the Laytown Races. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times

A man snaps a photo on his phone during the Laytown Races. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times

Workers set up the boundaries for the races. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times

A racegoer consults his newspaper at Laytown. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times

The annual Laytown Races have taken place on the beach in the tiny Co. Meath village, drawing crowds in excess of 5,000. Video: Bryan O'Brien