CORK Racecourse is raising the bar with this year’s Easter Festival as Bar One Racing have come on board as the title sponsor for the Easter Sunday fixture on April 17th.

The Cork festival runs from Saturday, April 16th to Monday, April 18th and the Dundalk-based bookmaking firm is the title sponsor for Sunday, as well as sponsoring three races: the Baroneracing.com Hurdle, the Grade B Baroneracing.com Handicap Hurdle and the feature Grade 3 Baroneracing.com Chase.

Live music

The quality of racing is always top class, starting with a flat card that kicks off at 1.40pm on Social Saturday, when live music will keep punters entertained after racing.

Two National Hunt fixtures follow and the horses won’t be all that is well groomed on Sunday, when RSVP magazine sponsors the Most Stylish Lady competition. Cork’s favourite party band, J90 will bring the day to a hopping conclusion with a live show in the marquee.

The Cork Easter Festival concludes on Easter Monday, with the first race commencing at 1.50pm.

Family

This is a really popular day as the Family Fun Raceday with free entertainment for the younger racegoers. Among the attractions are the Art Attack Zone, as well as a DJ party, magician, puppet show, face painter and henna tattoo artist for children of all ages to enjoy.

Gates open two hours before racing every day, with general admission gate prices of €20 Easter Saturday and Monday, and €25 Easter Sunday. Children under 14 race for free over all three days.

There are discounts for tickets bought online at www.corkracecourse.ie and a variety of packages are available too. A free shuttle bus service is provided from Mallow train station and Mallow town.