Leading jockey Ruby Walsh yesterday secured his first win at the annual Laytown strand races in Co Meath.
There were few parasols but many umbrellas as racing fans enjoyed this unique flat-racing event, the only one of its kind in Europe run on sand.
Punters arrived from all over Ireland and abroad for yesterday's event, some in the hope of winning and others simply enjoying a day out.
Jimmy and Ann Ryan, from Co Wexford, were there to make history of their own. "It's our ambition to do every racecourse in Ireland. Laytown is number 20 on the list of 27," said Mr Ryan.
Ms Esther Wanjiku, originally from Kenya, travelled from Bristol to celebrate a friend's 50th birthday.
Her winning formula was to bet on number seven and one other horse. "Seven never lets me down," she said.
Adverse weather delayed the start of the second race when high winds knocked some poles on the beach, but it may have been the omen Ruby Walsh needed.
Mr Brendan Lane, the Tote manager, said there were a few regular faces at the event, but it was mostly a holiday crowd."It's a day out," he told The Irish Times. "It's mostly smaller bets we would see."
The first race began when the tide was out to continue the century-old tradition of racing on the beach.
Six races took place during the course of the day, and there was live music after the event.
Fans were also invited to enjoy salsa dancing, fortune-telling and food and drink in local restaurants and corporate hospitality facilities.
The Tote was expecting to take in the region of €30,000 in bets. The bookmakers expected to take around €150,000.