Listowel Races Festival delayed due to a medical emergency

Harvest Festival is staging its fifth day a the north Kerry racecourse

Racing at Listowel on Thursday is delayed indefinitely following a reported medical emergency at the Kerry racecourse.

The popular Festival is staging its fifth day and only four races on the scheduled seven-race card took place before the delay.

Patons were told of the news before the 4.37pm contest, the Behans Horseshoe Bar, Restaurant & Townhouse Handicap Hurdle and the horses were taken out of the parade ring.

30 minutes later there is still no sign of racing resuming.

Well known racegoer Mike Parcej said on X: “Folks, don't know for certain but there may be a delay to racing here at Listowel. A racegoer would appear to be receiving emergency service treatment, course ambulance with them. Unconfirmed.”

An Irish Horseracing Regulataory Board tweet said: "There will be a slight delay to the start of the fifth race."

Earlier in the afternoon the featured Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Hurdle went to the Ross O'Sullivan trained Eagles Reign.

"The plan has been to come back for this race and we wanted a prep run so gave him a run on the Flat three weeks ago to open the pipes," O'Sullivan commented.

"It was in the lap of the gods whether he would get his ground or not, as he grows a leg on soft ground. When the rain started yesterday, it didn't stop and you couldn't write it better."