Tramore Racecourse defies the weather
The very bad weather over the New Year period did not deter the directors and manager of Tramore Racecourse from holding race meetings over the New Year.
A special team was gathered to keep the track covered with straw and covers near the fences to make sure that jumping did take place.
Waterford Farm Relief Services were on hand each day over Christmas to do the groundwork and protect the course from the weather.
The Turf Club were kept fully informed and between Christmas Day they made inspections up to three days before the meeting on New Year’s Eve said Racecourse manager, Sue Phelan in conversation this week with the Munster Express.
There were inspections on these days by Nicholas Lambert and Paddy Graffin, who had to travel from Carlow, an area hard hit by the weather.
On the morning of the races they had to be there for 7am and see what the weather was like and how the overnight cover protected the course, this meant leaving their homes at 5am in very bad road conditions.
New Racing manager, Niall Halley, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny, was also on hand.
On New Year’s day, which was sunny the over night frost was burned off by the sun and with a temperature of 2-3 degrees celsius, the ground was less hard and not frozen thus allowing racing to go ahead in safety.
Even in the stable yard, the water was frozen and a tanker of water had to be brought over from Dunmore East.
Sue was delighted that racing did go ahead and that it was the only Irish meeting held that day, Naas by contrast has lost 5 out of 15 meetings.
She was delighted with crowd numbers with an attendance of 3,250 on New Year’s Eve and 4,950 on New Year’s Day.
The tote betting returns were up on the year before.
There was a good turnout of visitors with people even coming from the UK for the 2 days racing and having a weekend in Ireland, as British racing was hard hit
By snow and frost, three meetings were cancelled that day, with just Cheltenham being held in the UK. In Ireland, Thurles had a cancellation as did Fairyhouse over the Xmas period.
Tramore got an economic boost with the hotels of Grand, Majestic and O Sheas full for the weekend of racing and also Dooleys in Waterford with racing fans and visitors.
A cancellation of the meeting would have meant added costs for promotion and preparations for the course had already taken place. A postponed meeting often gets a date that is not so good, compared to a bank holiday.
Local punters were happy with the performances of jockeys like Shay Barry, who had a place in all his 10 races over the two days with four firsts, three second placings and three thirds.
Some local trainers had a winner each with Henry de Bromhead, Pat Flynn of Rathgormack, Co. Waterford and Eoin Doyle of Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny.
Entertainment was provided in terms of music by Boxty, Teddy Barry and Tommy Comerford.
Face painting was also put on for the children.
Sue Phelan would also like to thank the sponsors for staying with the course in a difficult year like Kent Builders and Carroll Chemists.
With such support they can only look positively towards the year ahead.
Tags: around:tramore:sport:topstory
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