Two horses are exercised on Laytown beach ahead of the Laytown Strand horse races -- the only ones in the Irish and English calendars to be run on a beach under the Rules of Racing.
Bird's eye view —
Two horses are exercised on Laytown beach ahead of the Laytown Strand horse races -- the only ones in the Irish and English calendars to be run on a beach under the Rules of Racing.
PAUL FAITH/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Men work to erect the temporary race course on Laytown beach.
Setting course —
Men work to erect the temporary race course on Laytown beach.
PAUL FAITH/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Horses gallop along the Laytown beach course.
Seaside speed —
Horses gallop along the Laytown beach course.
PAUL FAITH/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
A view of the action as riders and jockeys come into view through a gap in trees above the beach.
Coast with the most —
A view of the action as riders and jockeys come into view through a gap in trees above the beach.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
A tightly-bunched race field is mirrored in the water.
Reflected glory —
A tightly-bunched race field is mirrored in the water.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Fresh hoof prints in the Laytown sand.
On the hoof —
Fresh hoof prints in the Laytown sand.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
These extraordinary races have been part of the local landscape since 1868, when they were held as part of the Boyne Regatta.
Rich tradition —
These extraordinary races have been part of the local landscape since 1868, when they were held as part of the Boyne Regatta.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Horses walk through the water ahead of a race. Races are run over distances ranging from five furlongs to two miles.
Riding the waves —
Horses walk through the water ahead of a race. Races are run over distances ranging from five furlongs to two miles.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Spectators watch in a huge field with sweeping views over the beach and its racing action, while some get to perch in an improvised grandstand created in dunes on the edge of the beach.
Best seat in the house —
Spectators watch in a huge field with sweeping views over the beach and its racing action, while some get to perch in an improvised grandstand created in dunes on the edge of the beach.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
There's nothing else quite like it in Europe -- the only horse race where life's a beach.
Water's edge —
There's nothing else quite like it in Europe -- the only horse race where life's a beach.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images