Cast Your Vote for Ireland's Favourite Racehorse

Ireland is a world leader when it comes to racing and now the people of Ireland have a chance to get involved in a unique project. They are being asked to vote for their favourite Irish racehorse of the last 25 years.

The shortlist of six, chosen by an expert panel, reflects very much Irish people’s love affair with jump racing. Five of the nominations excelled in that area, namely Dawn Run, Istabraq, Moscow Flyer, Danoli and Limestone Lad. The Melbourne Cup winner Vintage Crop is the sole flat representative.

Currently leading the vote in the ultimate race for popularity is Danoli - the horse from Co Carlow that was owned by Dan O’Neill. Both he and trainer Tom Foley are thrilled to be at the head of the pack. Tom said today “Danoli loved to race, he always responded to the crowd and you would know people wouldn’t forget about him.” owner Dan O’Neill is equally delighted “it would mean an awful lot if he were to win - it was said to me I didn’t own this horse - the people of Ireland owned him.”

The horse chosen by the public will be immortalised by one of Ireland’s leading artists, Nicola Russell, and the painting will also become the largest equine painting in the country, measuring approximately 11 feet by 16 feet. The painting will become the property of the people and hang in a prominent public venue. It is due to be completed by March 2010.

The project will donate 10% of the money raised to the Injured Jockeys Fund in Ireland and the progress of the project will be monitored regularly in the press. Horse Racing Ireland and The Irish Field are supporting the project, which has also been enthusiastically welcome by Ireland’s leading racing personality Ted Walsh.

“I think this is a marvellous way to celebrate something that we are about the best in the world at, producing top-class racehorses. This is also a celebration of horses that not only were excellent performers, but horses that by virtue of their longevity and achievements earned a special affection from racegoers,” Walsh said.

Horse Racing Ireland is also delighted to be involved in such an imaginative, exciting and ground breaking project which brings together the equine and cultural communities, and hopes that everyone will get behind the search to find Ireland’s racing treasure.

Voting ends midnight 30 June 2009.