IN THE BLOOD: THE STORY OF IRISH HORSE RACING

The racecourse is the theatre of dreams to many, and none more so than in Ireland. Few sports have such cultural resonance with the people of Ireland as horse racing, and even fewer share such a long and rich history. This feature gives the viewer an insight into this, “Sport of Kings”, and charts its history in Ireland.

As a nation that prides itself on its unique connection with horsemanship, “In the Blood” traces the sport back to its earliest days before the Battle of the Boyne in the 17th Century and discusses the arrival of the three “genesis” horses whose bloodlines have created the modern day Thoroughbreds. It examines how, as the knowledge and traditions have developed over the years, it has grown into a sport of glorious achievement for the Irish in Flat and National Hunt Racing.

As well as re-living some golden moments, such as ARKLE’s triumph over MILL HOUSE in the 1964 Cheltenham Gold Cup, “In the Blood” offers a unique glimpse into the world of horse racing with archive footage and contributions from a host of insiders.

As Ireland continues to dominate the world of racing, it is a fitting time to tell the story of how it all began and how it became embraced at home and, more importantly, abroad.


(70 Minutes)