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
1952 Irish Greyhound Derby 1952 Irish Greyhound Derby The 1952 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during July and August with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 9 August 1952. The winner Rough Waters was trained by Henry Lalor, owned Jimmy Lalor and bred by John Byrne. He was bought for 170 guineas by leading Irish bookmaker Jimmy Lalor for his wife Patricia at the Shelbourne Park sales in April 1951. Rough Waters had spent 1951 'flapping' (racing on the independent tracks) in Scotland before being aimed at the Irish Derby. At Shelbourne, 9 August (over 525 yards): neck, 1 (lengths)