Massive losses as weather woes hit Irish racecourses
Horse Racing Ireland has transferred Leopardstown’s December 26 card to Thursday, December 30 while Limerick has been reduced from a four to a three-day festival.
Leopardstown general manager Tom Burke revealed: “These four days represent between 35% and 40% of our annual turnover. The first three days would be very similar in terms of turnover while the last day would be down on those.”
Burke said the losses on St Stephen’s Day would total ‘a six-figure sum.’ He continued: “The corporate end of things is a big hit on St Stephen’s Day while the 26th is a big day to go racing for many people who are not traditional race goers.
“There are many people who come on the 26th out of tradition and we wouldn’t see them again until the following St Stephen’s Day.”
He continued: “The corporate side of things is a blow but many people have been on transferring their events to the 30th. Anyone who has bought general admission tickets for the 26th will have those honoured on any of the remaining days.”
Burke said he was hopeful that Leopardstown will have four days of racing but warned: “We need everything to work in our favour, everything will have to fall into place.”
Limerick Racecourse manager Russell Ferris described the announcement as a massive loss. “The 26th is the biggest day of the year. We had projected figures of 12,000 through the gates that day.
“The other days wouldn’t cover what we will lose. Again, like Tom, we would be looking at a six-figure loss.
“Over the last 10 to 11 weeks, there has been a lot of hard work done by the team here to prepare everything. To get so close to having a great festival, and then to have it taken away by Mother Nature, is very, very disappointing. The temperatures in Limerick remain at -6 degrees. While we had no snow overnight, the thaw is forecast to arrive on December 26 as opposed to the December 24, which was the original prediction. However, the up to date forecast should permit racing as scheduled on December 27, 28, 29.”
Meanwhile Connacht and Ulster rugby chiefs are hopeful that their respective Magners League games against Munster and Leinster will go ahead next week.
Connacht host Tony McGahan’s side at the Sportsground on St Stephen’s Day while Ravenhill is the venue for the other interpro on Monday. The Galway venue has been under a blanket of straw this week in a bid to remain playable for the December 26 clash.
A Connacht spokesman said: “At the moment, it is all systems go. We have 80 bales of straw out there and they seem to have done the job. The temperature is promised to rise at the end of the week and that should see the fixture going ahead. All the approach roads and the walkways around the stadium are fine, the pitch is the only concern.”
Ravenhill was under a blanket of snow yesterday but officials believe the expected weekend thaw will see the game go ahead. A source said: “Ground staff at Ravenhill are working hard to ensure a playable surface and safe ground for spectators on December 27.
“The pitch is in good condition and well insulated under the lying snow and we are bringing in machinery to help scrape the snow and frost from the terraces and walkways.”
