The poor weather was a disappointment for everyone concerned but couldn’t dampen the excitement at Courtmacsherry Strand Races held in the west Cork town on Sunday 10th July 2016.

The oval track is on a sandbank that can only be used at low tide and is accessible only via a temporary bridge by pedestrians. On our arrival, groups of stewards in hi-vis vests were busy putting the final touches to the track, installing the marker posts, winning post, starting rope and the all important last-lap bell. Being at the mercy of the tide, racing had to get underway so at a little after 3pm the runners and riders in the first race came onto the track having splashed their way through the low water. The young jockeys, in their colourful silks and tinted goggles, looked totally enthused and up for the contest as they loosened out their horses with a few short strides on the sandbank prior to lining up at the start.

Then, with encouragement being roared from the spectators on the road, they were off on several circuits of the course, sand flying in all directions as they galloped at full tilt around the track. The final lap bell signalled the last chance for the jockeys to squeeze the last bit out of their mounts and was also a signal for us that we had just one more time to get  a decent photo of this race.

Then, to the sound of applause from across the water, the muddy-faced horses and jockeys crossed the finish line and while the winner headed for the parade ring to accept the prize, the others stabled their horses and prepared for the next race. This was repeated several times over and was a fantastic event despite the poor weather. Definitely one for the calendar next year.

Well done all in Courtmacsherry.

Click here to see a gallery of images from this shoot.