Racing Legends Museum officially opened in Kildare Town

One of the highlights of the Kildare Derby Festival each year is the pop-up Racing Legends Museum, which officially opened today, 22nd June at The Old Courthouse in Kildare Town.  A host of local and national racing legends and VIPs including curator of the Racing Legends Musuem Jim Kavanagh and his family, racing historian and retired trainer Guy St. Williams, Cathal Beale from the Irish National Stud, Councillor and Mayor of Kildare and Newbridge Municipal District Suzanne O’Loughlin, Councillor Mark Stafford, Evan Arkwright from The Curragh Racecourse, Rose O’Loughlin of The Keadeen and Laura McGee from Thoroughbred Country all gathered to see PJ “Darkie” Prendergast being officially inducted into the museum’s Hall of Legends.  Members of the Prendergast family in attendance included Kevin, Patrick (Junior) and Orla Coonan Prendergast.  Brothers Tom and Robbie Gallagher who worked for PJ were also present and recalled tales of looking after some of PJ’s greatest horses including Meadow Court and Ragusa.   

The story of the famous champion horse-training Prendergast family will be available to view at the Racing Legends Museum from now until 23rd July. PJ Prendergast takes his place alongside fellow Hall of Legends, Old Vic, Sinndar and jockey, Steve Cauthen. 

The Racing Legends Museum boasts a unique collection of racing memorabilia, silks, trophies and videos of thoroughbred horses of the past along with information on some of the most famous Irish Derby jockeys and trainers. This is the fourth year of the museum, which is curated by retired trainer, Jim Kavanagh and features much of his own collection. The Kildare Derby Racing Legends Museum will open daily from 10am to 4pm from 22nd June until 23rd July 2023.  Admission is free.  

Speaking of this year’s exhibition and Hall of Legends inductee, Jim Kavanagh, Curator of the Racing Legends Museum and member of the Kildare Derby Festival Committee commented, “The Prendergast family is synonymous with Irish racing and it is timely that PJ receives his place in the Hall of Legends. PJ put Irish racing on the map, as the first Irish trainer to win the UK’s Flat Championship three years in a row in 1963, 1964 and 1965.  He has had a huge impact on Irish racing both as a trainer and a breeder. We are delighted to induct PJ into the Kildare Derby Festival Hall of Legends at the Museum for 2023.”  

Now in its 45th year, the Kildare Derby Festival is set to be the best yet for 2023 with Nathan Carter heading up the free open-air events that run in the town in association with the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh Racecourse. Running from Monday, 26th June until Sunday, 2nd July 2023, the week-long festival has something on offer for all generations including live open-air free music performances, the hugely popular Pooch Parade, a ticketed concert by leading Soprano, Claudia Boyle at the magnificent St Brigid’s Cathedral, the Racing Legends Museum and much more. The festival draws to a close on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day on Sunday, 2nd July with a post-Derby party in Kildare Square featuring live music from Vegas Nights and special guests.   

For more information on the museum or any of the events happening during Kildare Derby Festival visit www. kildarederbyfestival.ie or search Kildare Derby Festival on Facebook and Instagram.