Magners Summer Festival Of Racing At Down Royal Launch

Last Thursday I had the absolute pleasure of attending the official launch party for Down Royal Racecourse Summer Festival, in one of Belfast's very quirky venue's. The Dark Horse Cafe and Winebar, where the event was exclusively held was a new experience for me. Umbrella's hung above our heads whilst we came towards the entrance, then as we walked into the event I was mesmerized by the most creative and expressive artwork.  Along with a collective of music which played in the back ground by the very talented "The Convicts", which in my opinion created a relaxed atmosphere. Local bloggers, press and the most stylish people attended the event and wowed everyone with their own unique styles. I was really excited to hear that the event was sponsored by Magners and that the French Village Bakery was catering the event. I have only tasted their fabulous desserts and specialty teas, so I was impressed that their BBQ food was exquisite. My overall experience was incredible, I had lots of fun relaxing in the sun with delicious food, drink and mingling with such friendly, super trendy people.

My ensemble created by Nor-Lisa Fashion Designer

What to expect at the fabulous day out at the Down Royal this Summer!!!

Whatever the weather, Summer starts right here, with the launch of the 2017 Summer Festival of Racing at Down Royal: great days and balmy evenings of sport, sociability and, new to this year’s Festival, the sizzle of the barbeque.

There’s never been a better opportunity to capture the mood of Summer with five great Down Royal racing events lined up and under Starter’s Orders:

Friday 23rd - Mencap Race Evening

Saturday 24th June – Magners Derby Day

Friday 28th July – Magners Race Evening

Friday 1st September – Musgrave Northern Ireland Race Evening

Friday 8th September – Summer Race Evening

The annual Festival brings together great racing on the track and great times trackside to create the perfect combination for a Summer outing.

Mike Todd, General Manager of Down Royal, says, “Our Summer Festival of Racing boasts impeccable sporting credentials and has long been a favourite with punters and die-hard fans of horse racing. Increasingly, they are being joined by a new breed of race-goers who love the unique spirit of this great racecourse and who appreciate an outing with sport, craic and style. This year, to create the right, laid back Summer vibe, we’re adding gourmet barbeque to a programme that’s already smokin’ hot and we’re looking forward to drawing record crowds ready to share the race-going experience.”

Providing the barbeque will be French Village Catering who will add to the Down Royal wining and dining options in the corporate entertainment suites and The Dark Horse Café & Winebar with the launch of casual al fresco dining options that wouldn’t be out of place in a chic resort. 
Ashley French from French Village says, “We’re delighted to be introducing a whole new approach, with ‘Summer On A Plate’ – a contemporary casual menu featuring fantastic locally sourced food, cooked right there. Even better, it’s affordable whether you’re winning or losing on the track!”
Down Royal Summer Festival of Racing Menu
Local Dexter Beef Burger
Caramelised Onion | Rocket
Gourmet Hot Dog
Brioche Roll | Homemade Piccalilli
Pad Thai Chicken Curry

Noodles | Bok Choy
Sauces
Homemade Smokey BBQ Sauce
Ballymaloe Tomato Relish
Bang Bang Sauce
Roasted Garlic Mayo
From haute cuisine, to haute couture, with good news, for those whose taste runs to fashion. Thanks to a partnership with Magners Forbidden Favours, the stakes in this year’s Best Dressed Lady competition are higher than ever before with a Caribbean Cruise on the cards for the winner.
The elegant ladies strutting their stuff and turning heads at the Magners Ulster Derby on June 24 will be in hot pursuit of that dream prize package which includes return flights for two from Belfast to Miami, with three nights’ at the four star Casablanca Of The Ocean Hotel in uber-cool Miami, followed by an amazing seven night cruise on board the stunning MSC Divina.
Judging the good-humoured fashionista face off and posing at the Photo Finish with the finalists will be Nuala Meenehan Ulster Tatler’s Girl About Town, and leading model; Cool FM’s Breakfast presenters Pete Snodden and Rebecca McKinley, both recognised as two of Northern Ireland’s most stylish icons, and Diane McStay from the Style Studio. 
Mike Todd says, “Whether you are already an old hand at racing or fancy enjoying the Down Royal experience for the very first time, our Summer Festival of Racing is the place to be for five unique events this Summer.”
All race meetings can be booked at www.downroyal.com, tickets from £10. Follow the fun Down Royal Racecourse.
Photo credit Press Eye Photography

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Love Donna

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