Englishman achieves remarkable feat of attending all 26 Irish racecourses in one year

A passionate UK-based racing fan has completed the amazing achievement of going racing at all 26 Irish racecourses in one calendar year.

Mike Parcej, from Wolverhampton, walked through the gates of Thurles racecourse at 10am on Thursday morning having set out on a pilgrimage to visit every racecourse on the island of Ireland in a year.

His mission was delayed by a few weeks with Thurles having to postpone a couple of meetings over the past few weeks due to a lack of rainfall, but with one month to spare, he completed the set and achieved a lifetime ambition.

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Parcej has already completed the full set of 60 UK racecourses after visiting Beverley in 2018 having first gone racing at Bath in 1995.

Parcej’s story has been followed by the racing community in Ireland via his social media activity on X (formally Twitter) where he has posted hundreds of messages on his adventures up and down the country.

Amazingly the 56-year-old doesn’t bet, saying: “Every pocket has a bottom – and for me that comes with hotels and train fares."

He has stayed in villages, towns, and cities during his mission and met racegoers from every walk of life while TG4 and a number of trade publications have picked up on his story.

Parcej worked full-time in the IT sector for 35 years but has scaled back in recent years allowing him the opportunity to follow his passion.

Dubbed the ‘Phileas Fogg Book of horse racing’, Parcej will also attend Fairyhouse’s two-day Winter Festival this weekend having also been at Punchestown last weekend.

“I actually have brought the racecard of my first ever Irish raceday with me, the Saturday of Irish Derby weekend 1991,” said Parcej.

“However, up until the end of last year I'd only been to seven tracks, so last year after losing my mother, scaling down to part time, I decided to do the first of my four bucket list ambitions, which was to visit all 26 Irish tracks in one year.

“Revisiting the seven, and the other 19. It started with a baptism of fire...Naas on a foggy Sunday in January!!”

“I was due to finish at Thurles on October 31st but the weather intervened, so I decided to come down today, staying at the Horse and Jockey for two days here, then back to Dublin on Friday night for Hatton's Grace weekend.”

Parcej’s adventure has seen him attend Laytown at their one and only day racing on the beach in September and travel to places like Downpatrick, Sligo, Ballinrobe, Killarney and Tramore.

"For me, racing is like a never-ending Netflix thriller. No matter the level, every race is different and every race has characters, both in terms of people and horses. I can honestly say that everything about racing appeals to me, except betting.”

"I have dyscalculia, so I hate numbers, plus I like to have a return on investment for every penny I spend," he explains.

"I first got interested in racing when I was confined to bed with flu on the day of the 1980 St Leger. There was nothing else to do apart from watch television and in those days there were only three channels. I watched and became hooked.”

Mike Parcej with ITV Racing's AP McCoy, Ed Chamberlain and Mick Fitzgerald
(Image: @mike_parcej)

Parcej promises to rank his top 26 in order over the weekend on his social media but he’s adamant that Fairyhouse is his favourite track to visit, not just in Ireland, but in the world.

“Fairyhouse in my opinion, for the all round experience, the best Group 1 racecourse I have ever been to anywhere in the world.

“There is a magnificent unspoiled viewing of the whole track, even on the busiest days. The best pre parade ring, paddock and winners enclosure I have ever seen, bringing racegoers closer to the horses without compromising safety.

“Magnificent snacks from the Lily and Wild cafe, and high class lunches for under €20. Admission prices set at superbly affordable levels, and of course the usuals.

“The warmest of welcomes, friendly security staff, one enclosure and no dress code. The hallmark standard setter of how a Group 1 racecourse should be run."

Mike points out that he’s actually been to 28 Irish racecourses in total having also visited two venues now sadly closed.

“I went racing at Tralee in September 2006, and walked Phoenix Park in April 1992, the day after Vanton's Irish National. It was still as it was when it closed, then.”

But despite having scratched the itch and completed his astonishing achievement, Parcej still has one stone in his shoe.

“I have one further Irish racing occasion though on my bucket list. The Dingle Derby.”

Come next August, not many would bet against Mike making the iconic west Kerry pony meeting. Except for Mike of course.

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