Willie is also on the board at tramore so might want to treat the locals the seeing the best national hunt horse in training,a good way to start the new year.

Lovely town Tramore, but can be pretty miserable weather wise in winter. This meeting in particular can be grim. However like anywhere if you're in good company and enjoy a drink you'll enjoy it. Gordon if weather permits do the Doneraile walk. Fantastic views of Tramore Bay.

Happy, Healthy and Successful 2026 to all you good punting folks.

We made it safe and sound to Tramore - flight to Cork, nice clear day and easy drive along N25 arrived in town around 11.30 after a stop in Youghal (a town which has seen better days I suggest).  Parked up rental car in town centre as there was only roadside parking at the airbnb.  Had a couple of drinks in O'Neills and then got access to digs and proceeded to Sadies for a few more, then to Raglan Road which isn't really a bar, more of a restaurant but they were not taking any food orders and couldn't cope with the crowd although it looked only half full!! The owner introduced herself and she was the best thing about this place by far!!  Then onto Crokes and Victoria (around 8pm, the liveliest bar at this time for sure) Dooleys fish and chips and back up the hill to Sadies as our digs were nearby.  A good start to proceedings!

Up earlyish and down to the strand for a few sunrise photos, surprised how far up the town centre is, saw Murphs pub on way back, one of the gang wanted to venture there but as he's limping right now, that was a no go as there was a steepish incline. Went to Tracksports (one of the biggest betting shops I've been in) before walking to course for 11am.  We were in the Graun Suite for our dinner-quite nippy to start with but warmed up as more folks came in and the dinners were served.  Track (to me) had similar layout to Clonmel although sharper with an amazingly long run between 2nd last and last hurdle.  Two winners - Stede Bonnet (that Up the Tweed which beat it at Ayr is definitely one to watch) and Roccabaker which was only horse all day to come from off the pace, it definitely pays to be close up!!  Food good quality, service very good - well worth the 90 Euros.  All of us very pleasantly surprised by the size/quality of facilities, which were of a standard better than many with more meetings-better races. 

Back to Sadies after racing until 1AM!!  Although as the driver I curtailed activities at 10.  Concensus was that Tramore was quite a well to do area, based on the houses and attire-crowd at the races.

Friday we left town around 10.30 (another nice clear driving day) as the guys wanted to stop off at a previous haunt - Kilford Arms in Kilkenny - they had a couple of Guiness there (highest rated of the trip).  Good drive to airport which was just as well as rental car centre was busy and the security checks were busiest I'd seen in Ireland but we made it to gate in time for a pint and then flight home roughly on time. 

Great trip all in all - I'd recommend Tramore as a town and for a race day. A few locals recommended Ladies Day in August so who knows may be back some day.

Delighted it all went well for ye and ye enjoyed it that's what it's all about