Dundalk extend all-weather campaign

Dundalk’s racing season is to be extended with the addition of 14 fixtures between September 23 this year and March 30, 2012.

The move was approved by Horse Racing Ireland for the all-weather track to race through the winter season.

There will be one extra date added this year, on December 23, with 13 new meetings to be introduced in the first three months of 2012.

These fixtures will be in addition to Dundalk’s existing annual allocation of 23 meetings, and the costs will be financed by contributions from SIS, the broadcast rights holder for live Irish racing to betting shops, and Dundalk racecourse.

It is intended the fixtures will be run for a three-year trial period (up to 2014), at which point all of the implications will be reviewed.

HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh said: “HRI is pleased now to be in the position that we can introduce a series of additional Friday evening fixtures at Dundalk, meaning that there will be a consistent weekly product to showcase throughout next winter.

“This is good news for the Flat racing industry and good news for the betting industry, with additional employment and earning opportunities created in both these sectors.

“The priority of the HRI Board was to ensure that minimum prize money levels were retained and I am grateful to Dundalk and SIS for making that happen.”

Dundalk chief executive Jim Martin said: “We believe that this new series will be well supported by trainers in Ireland and Britain.”

As a result of the expansion of Dundalk’s winter programme, separate summer and winter Flat seasons and championships will now be created.

For 2011, the main summer Flat season/championship will be run from the Curragh’s opening meeting on March 20 to Leopardstown’s November Handicap fixture on November 6.

A separate winter season/championship will then apply for the all-weather meetings at Dundalk over the winter from November 11, 2011 to March 23, 2012.