Pop-up Racing Legends Museum to open for Kildare Derby Festival

Another highlight of the Kildare Derby Festival is the annual pop-up Racing Legends Museum, which officially opens from 22nd June at The Old Courthouse in Kildare Town and has 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.  

2023 sees the induction of PJ ‘Darkie’ Prendergast into the Kildare Derby Festival Hall of Legends at the Museum. The story of the famous champion horse-training Prendergast family will be available to view at the Kildare Derby Racing Legends Museum. PJ Prendergast takes his place alongside fellow Hall of Legends, Old Vic, Sinndar and jockey, Steve Cauthen.”  

Speaking of this year’s exhibition and Hall of Fame inductees, Jim Kavanagh, Curator of the Kildare Derby 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.”