Curragh Racecourse Curragh Racecourse The Curragh Racecourse, usually referred to as simply The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred racecourse. It is situated on the Curragh plain in County Kildare, between the towns of Newbridge and Kildare. The name "Curragh" comes from the Irish (Gaeilge) word "Cuirreach", meaning "place of the running horse". The first recorded race on the plain took place in 1727, but it was used for races before then. The first Derby was held in 1866, and in 1868 the Curragh was officially declared a horse racing and training facility by act of parliament. The course is right-handed, about
1945 Irish Greyhound Derby 1945 Irish Greyhound Derby The 1945 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during August with the final being held at Harold's Cross Stadium in Dublin on 17 August. The winner Lilac Lucks was owned by M Coolican and trained by Paddy Byrne. At Harold's Cross Stadium, 17 August (over 525 yards): ¾, ½ (lengths) Mad Tanist returned for another attempt at the Irish Derby and led the ante-post lists along with his full sister Astra. Astra had defeated Mad Tanist in the recent final of the Easter Cup. In the first round Astra equalled the track record of 29.98 secs held