One-mile turf stakes are not as fashionable in North America as they are in Europe, but there are a few of them in this part of the world that truly stand out.
Author: News
HRI Reveals 2021 Fixture List
Horse Racing Ireland has published its 2021 fixtures list with 380 meetings, up from the originally scheduled 370 in 2020. The list contains 379 meetings with one designated as a floating fixture to be programmed when demand for opportunities is high. The 10 additional meetings include seven turf fixtures (including the floating fixture) and three all-weather meetings.
Jason Morris, HRI’s director of racing, said, “The 2021 fixture list has very largely reverted to the original 2020 schedule with the number of blank Sundays being retained at six to help ease pressure on stable staff and trainers. As we all know, 2020 was severely impacted by the 11-week cessation of racing from Mar. 26 to June 8 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, after which it has featured a heavily revised schedule with 330 fixtures being retained overall.
“The HRI Board recognises the uncertain times we are facing, but wanted to produce a full-year fixture list at this stage to assist owners, trainers and racecourses with their planning. In the event that racing is disrupted or attendances are not permitted or heavily restricted for a prolonged period in 2021, it is recognised that revisions to the schedule may be necessary. In such circumstances, HRI will be flexible and respond to the circumstances as we find them with regard to dates, venues and codes of meetings; however the strong preference will be to run the full schedule of fixtures as published today.”
The post HRI Reveals 2021 Fixture List appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
Owners To Return To Irish Racecourses From Monday
Owners will be permitted to return to Irish racecourses from Monday in line with the government’s medium-term COVID-19 plan published earlier this week.
Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said, “We are delighted to confirm that for the first time since Mar. 13, owners will be permitted to return to the racecourse from Monday next. Owners play the most important role in Irish racing and they have had to wait quite some time to return to the racecourse to see their horses run. We have always said that getting owners back on the racecourse was our first priority and we have been working closely on this with the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners and their representative Caren Walsh.
“As all key personnel who have been racing behind closed doors since June 8 will testify, these are not race fixtures as we used to know them, and given the ongoing public health risk it remains as important now as it ever has been that all those attending racecourses adhere strictly to the race day protocols.
“Since we resumed racing in Ireland, the level of care and compliance with the Covid-19 protocols has been excellent and it is vital that everybody continues to comply with the rules on the racecourse around pre-health screening, social distancing and the wearing of face masks or coverings at all times.”
The post Owners To Return To Irish Racecourses From Monday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
Eddie Olczyk, Anita Marks Featured on ‘The Winner’s Circle’
Featuring America’s Best Racing’s deep roster of talented contributors, including former ESPN SportsCenter weekend anchor now-turned radio personality Bram Weinstein, who serves as the host of “The Winner’s Circle,” and Dan Tordjman, “The Winner’s Circle” presented by NYRA Bets brings together these accomplished racing insiders to share their knowledge, tips, insights, and opinions by offering a unique, weekly pe
