'A real advertisement for racing' - Laytown basks in quintessential seaside weather as annual jamboree attracts huge crowd

There are a few things which I have yet to tick from my bucket list and Laytown's acclaimed beach meeting was one of them.

However, I was thankful to dust off the sharpie and cross off the eldest line in my catalogue when attending the annual jamboree which was bolstered by quintessential weather for a day out at the seaside.

A charming atmosphere was fuelled by a colossal crowd, so much so that it caused a ten-minute delay, and they were still streaming in after the second contest.

Racing at the strand has been in existence for over a century and a half and Charles Stewart Parnell, the leader of the Home Rule movement and the outstanding Irish political figure of the late 19th century, was one of the first stewards at the track.

Jungle Cove and Jody Towenend wins the 7f qualified riders handicapCredit: Patrick McCann

Parnell's career suffered its fair share of volatility, but it was trivial when compared to the mercurial grey who graced the strand in 2016. Six months before bolting up in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Labaik decided that a day out at the beach was strictly for leisure purposes when he refused to race in the 7f maiden.

I'm not sure if Jered Maddox is a Supreme winner in waiting but he's relishing his annual excursion to the beach as he made it two from two at Laytown with a gritty victory in the opening 6f handicap for David Marnane at 8-1.

The Ado McGuinness-trained Cherry Pink swapped the blue and white stripes of owner Deepak Dhand for the green and white of an emerging force in the ownership ranks in Ireland in Bronsan Racing, directed by Neil, Con and Irene Sands when landing the following 6f handicap.

So how does a winner at Laytown compare to a Galway Hurdle or runners at Royal Ascot?

"It's always a family occasion for us, whether it's a maiden at Roscommon or the Breeders' Cup or a Galway Hurdle," said Neil Sands. "You don't get weather like this too often, particularly not in Meath, but we're Louth people, so we don't like to give them anything!

"It's great to see the crowd and it's a real advertisement for racing. It's my father's [Con] birthday and he's been a fantastic lucky charm for us, so we'll throw on another candle I'm sure."

Jered Maddox: made it two from two at LaytownCredit: Patrick McCann

Ian Williams made the trip over from Britain with two runners and after saddling Mokaatil to finish third behind Cherry Pink, he said: "I came last year on a bit of a recce but this is our first time to have runners. It's a unique place and my clients are having a great time, so we'll be back.

"Just look around and everyone is having a great time. Plus the racing is competitive, so what more do you want?"

Half an hour later, his question was emphatically answered when 7-4 favourite Ivasecret landed plenty of bets by bolting up in the 7f claimer under Seamie Heffernan for Williams. He most certainly will be back.

The unrivalled topography of the course is an intimidating prospect for even the most intrepid punter, while the absence of WiFi proves equally challenging for a beleaguered hack, given his rapidly overheating phone was being stretched beyond its hotspot capabilities.

Behind the stalls for 7f claiming race at LaytownCredit: Patrick McCann

Both challenges were met with gusto but as my phone burned a hole in one pocket, my punting was soon igniting a blaze in the other. Matters were partially recovered with a placed effort from Lohengrin, third in the maiden to Roman Harry. Enough returns to fund a bucket and spade for next year.

Celebrated American writer Susan Sontag encapsulated the typically adjourned nature of bucket lists when remarking: "I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list."

Laytown is a jewel in Irish racing's crown like no other and a trip shouldn't be kept on the long finger. Start making plans for 2025 and pray to the weather gods in the interim.

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