Centenary plans under starter’s orders

IT hosted the first race meeting of the new millennium in Europe and later helped punters get used to the euro. Now one of Ireland’s oldest racecourses is to embark on a 12-month celebration to mark its centenary in 2012, but whether the euro is still in circulation is not as certain.

Waterford and Tramore Racecourse will begin its series of events with a “welcome the new century” New Year’s meeting on December 31 and January 1 and the events will continue throughout the year.

The dozens of horses and heroes who helped shape the popular racecourse’s rich history will be remembered with exhibitions of old photographs and memorabilia.