Provisional Date

Downpatrick Racecourse

Ballydougan Road, Downpatrick, Co. Down

Saturday 30th August 2025

See all photos on line now

St. Patrick's Coast Endurance Ride, now in its 9th year, and continues to develop. A stunning 32km (20 mile) loop taking in forest, old railways, farm lanes and fields as well as a significant distance of beaches, less than 1.5km of road work to top it off.

Taking place on Saturday 7th September this year, it is a not to be missed day. A Dinner will be held on the Saturday evening, open to all, so make a weekend out of it, stabling is available on site as is camping for anyone interested.

The event features Pleasure Rides for all, non-members welcome, of 16km (10 miles) and 32km (20 miles) [note the 16km ride does not take in the beaches]. Competitive Rides (CTRs) from 32km (20 miles) up to 80km (50 miles) and this will be joined by Competitive Endurance Rides (ERs) of 80km (50 miles) and 100km (62 miles).

Entries will close on Tuesday 1st September at Midnight. (unless ride is full first so don't delay)

St. Patrick's Coast Endurance Ride 2023 - again what a great success it was. The weather was kind this year and the continuation of the new Team the BHS classes played a large part in this success. The riders faces as they crossing the finish line says it all = see our Miles of smiles compilation (right/below)

The ride start and finishes at Downpatrick Race Course with great facilities. There will be on-site catering available on the day and of course the prizegiving dinner in the evening. Our photographer was back to catch those stunning images on the beach and as you, weather permitting, ride up the racecourse to finish.

A stunning 32km (20 mile) loop taking in forest, old railways, farm lanes and fields as well as a significant distance of beaches, with less than 3km of road work to top it off is waiting for our intrepid competitors.

The event features Pleasure Rides for all, non-members welcome, of 16km (10 miles) and 32km (20 miles) [note the 16km ride does not take in the beaches]. Competitive Rides (CTRs) from 32km (20 miles) up to 80km (50 miles) and this will be joined by Competitive Endurance Rides (ERs) of 80km (50 miles) and 120km (75 miles) as demand requires.

Saturday Night Farmers & Prize Giving Event

We host a Farmers and Prizegiving event on the Saturday evening after the ride.

We would encourage anyone who can stay to please come along and support this part of the event. It is YOUR chance to say thank you to many of the farmers and landowners over whose land you will ride whilst having a great evening and maybe even picking up a prize.

It is open to everyone (non-members welcome) but you must purchase tickets in advance. A limited number may still be available from the ride office on the day but strictly subject to numbers.

The night is sponsored by ILDRA but all riders but, when entering, all riders have an option to sponsor one ticket to help cover the cost of a farmer or landowner. Please support us as without theses guys the ride just would not exist.

Click for more details and to book your place.

The Beach Section

As usual the 16km (10 mile) Pleasure Ride will not take in the beaches at Ballykinler and Tyrella so if you want the beach ride enter for the 32km (20 mile) class.

Prizes

There are also prizes for Pleasure Riders - to be eligible all you have to do is Vet before starting and within 30 minutes of finishing and make sure your times are taken at the start and finish - no extra cost - so why not plan to challenge yourselves and improve on last year or set a benchmark for next year.

Vaccinations

Please note ALL horses entering the race course property MUST have up-to-date (annual) Flu Vaccinations. Therefore we cannot accept entries from horses or ponies that will not be up to date with their shots. Sorry no exceptions.

New Regulations for stabling at the racecourse can be found here: https://www.hri-ras.ie/getmedia/2e9d5775-4dac-4ee8-b9f2-cd69e07f02a8/Rule-91-(Equine-Influenza-Vaccinations-%E2%80%93-New-Time-Intervals).pdf