Limerick is set to have its new racecourse for the new millennium after the Irish Horse Racing Authority's approval of the development of a new track at Patrickswell to replace the existing course at Greenpark.
The new development is set to cost approximately £7 million, of which the IHA will contribute £3 million. Work is set to start at the site during next summer and racing could begin there in two years' time.
"The new racecourse will be on the site of the present point-to-point track, which is a wonderful natural arena. Work is at present proceeding on the design of the track," IHA chief executive Noel Ryan said yesterday.
The last racecourse to be built from scratch in Ireland was Wexford in 1951. The present Limerick track at Greenpark is likely to host its final fixture next Christmas.
The IHA published its review of racing statistics for 1997 yesterday and declared it a bumper year for Irish racing.
Total betting was up 8.4 per cent, with the Tote up 8.9 per cent and bookmakers' turnover increased by 8.3 per cent. Prize-money increased by 6.7 per cent and attendances were also up by 6.7 per cent.
The IHA pointed to the £42 million capital development programme as a significant factor in racing's improved performance, with the opening of the revamped Cork racecourse a major moment.
The importance of the major festival meetings was again emphasised, with the top six festivals (Galway, Listowel, Leopardstown Christmas, Punchestown, Fairyhouse Easter and the Curragh Derby weekend) accounting for 36 per cent of attendances, 28 per cent of betting and 22 per cent of prizemoney. Overall, in the three categories of betting turnover, prizemoney and attendances, the IHA report that they exceeded their targets outlined in the five-year strategic plan.
The report also says the IHA's plans for the revitalisation of the Tote are "on course". It adds that the acquisition of a new information technology and the development of the Tote on the High Street with satellite broadcasting of Irish racing are expected to come to fruition in the course of 1998 and 1999.
"I'm satisfied the numbers show there is a payoff from better facilities. The physical face of Irish racing is changing with the capital development fund," commented Noel Ryan.
Last year's winner, Danoli, is among the 15 entries for the £100,000 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, to be run at Leopardstown on Sunday, February 8th. The entries are:
Addington Boy, Anabatic, Corket, Danoli, Dorans Pride, Go Ballistic, Hermes Harvest, Imperial Call, Lord Singapore, Merry Gale, One Man, Rough Quest, Suny Bay, The Grey Monk, Dun Belle.
