WHEN Seamus Lawlor from Leixlip, Co Kildare, attends the Irish Grand National on Monday it will mark the 75th anniversary of his first time to witness the famous Fairyhouse race. He says he has only missed three runnings since 1950.

The 87-year-old spoke to The Irish Field this week from his hospital bed, but he was in good spirits and expected to be discharged over the weekend.

“I will drive myself to Fairyhouse,” he said. “I’ve been a member there for many years.”

Seamus can recall his first Irish National. “I had two shillings on the winner, Dominick’s Bar, ridden by Martin Molony. We watched from the infield in those days. You didn’t have to pay and there was a Tote behind the winning post. Racing was over banks and hedges in those days.”

As a teenager, Seamus graduated to the racecourse proper and says that seeing Arkle win the 1964 edition was a highlight. “He gave two stone and more to the rest of them. He was just too good. I was in Mullingar for his first race, at Navan for his first win, and I was even at Kempton for his final run where he was injured.”

Also a regular at Listowel and a confirmed jumps racing fan, Seamus has kept some racecards from over the years which would be collectors’ items.

He rarely has a bet and his advice to first-time racegoers is to make sure they don’t get carried away when gambling. “I’ve seen people lose everything,” he warned. “Only bet what you can afford to lose.”

Sadly, most of his racing pals have gone to the racecourse in the sky and Seamus says he knows hardly anyone at the track these days. So if you are racing on Monday, please say hello and congratulate Seamus on his longevity and dedication to the Irish Grand National.