Dundalk all-weather track allotted a dozen fixtures next year by HRI

IRELAND’S first all-weather racecourse at Dundalk Stadium will host 12 fixtures next year.

The racing dates for 2007 were released by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) yesterday and show an increase of 14 fixtures to 328 from the 2006 figures. Dundalk (12) with Sligo (1) and Ballinrobe (1) are the course to benefit from the increase.

The opening fixture at Dundalk will be on the afternoon of Sunday, August, 26th, and the first evening meeting comes a month later on Thursday, September, 27th. There will then be two runs of five consecutive Friday evening meetings: from 28th September to 26th October and from 9th November to 7th December (outside the turf season). The one-week gap avoids a clash with the Down Royal Festival on Friday 2nd November.