Phoenix Park Racecourse
Phoenix Park Racecourse is a former horse racing venue in Ireland. It was located in the townlands of Ashtown and Castleknock in the civil parish of Castleknock on the northern edge of the Phoenix Park in Dublin. The course was founded by J. H. H. Peard, and racing began there in 1902.
From 1939 to 1950 the track was managed by Mr Peard's son Harry, and thereafter it was run by his widow Fanny. Mrs Peard retired in 1969, and the track closed for the first time at the end of the 1981 season. The course re-opened for the 1983 season, now owned by a consortium which included Vincent O'Brien and Robert Sangster. Due to financial difficulties the track was permanently closed for racing in late 1990.
Several of Ireland's leading flat races, which are presently contested at other venues, originally took place at Phoenix Park. These include the Irish Champion Stakes and the Phoenix Stakes. Other races of note held at Phoenix Park include the G III Vauxhall Trial Stakes. On 14 August 1983 U2 played to over 2000 people on their War Tour at the racecourse. The show is most remembered for songs played like Out of Control Party Girl I Will Follow Sunday Bloody Sunday, 11 O'Clock Tick Tock and the last song of the night was 40, fans sang the song for over 15 minutes after the band left the stage.
References
- World of Horse Racing. Marshall Cavendish. 1989. p. 104. ISBN 1-85435-199-0.
- tbheritage.com – Race Courses of Great Britain and Ireland.
- OSI map of Phoenix Park Club Racecourse
Coordinates: 53°22′21″N 6°20′15″W / 53.372499°N 6.337566°W