Dundalk all-weather track allotted a dozen fixtures next year by HRI
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.
The number of Flat races increase to 913, up by 65, and National Hunt races increase to 1412, up by 32.
HRI also announced that the break in the National Hunt season, first introduced in 2006, has been increased from 8 to 10 days (from Tuesday 26th June to Thursday 5th July) which is probably the maximum break achievable for the foreseeable future. In addition, the number of blank days in the summer months has been increased from 12 to 13.
The most important single change of date relating to the 2007 Fixture List is the move of Hennessy Day at Leopardstown from Sunday 11th February to the previous day, Saturday 10th February. This change is for one year only, to avoid a clash with the Ireland vs France Rugby international in Croke Park. Leopardstown and the principal sponsors, Hennessy, both want to avoid a direct clash and will promote the day as part of a premier sporting weekend.
There are 10 Saturday evenings scheduled for 2007, the same number as in 2006 although with two venue changes. The Punchestown (May 20th) meeting which was not a success, has been relinquished and will be taken up by Kilbeggan on the 19th of May. Leopardstown have agreed to a direct switch in early July with Bellewstown, whereby Leopardstown will move what was previously their Football Furlong fixture to the Wednesday and Bellewstown’s three-day Festival will now run from Thursday evening to Saturday evening.
Commenting on the 2007 Fixture List, Jason Morris, HRI’s Director of Racing said: “Horse Racing Ireland’s aim is to put on racing at times and places which will best suit racegoers and thereby grow attendances, whilst also satisfying as far as possible the needs of Ireland’s growing horse population. The opening of Dundalk’s new all-weather facility will be a major development in Irish racing providing new opportunities for owners and trainers and an exciting new experience for racegoers”.
