IRELAND has 26 racecourses since Tralee closed its doors exactly a decade ago. Now the prospect of that number falling to 25 is a real possibility, despite the assertion by the owners of Down Royal that racing will continue there under new management in 2019.

The statement by the owners, Merrion Property Group, while announcing that a new management structure would be put in place, did not clearly give a long-term, unequivocal commitment to continue with racing. As they are a property group, it is easy to understand why the perception of most people would be that they will develop the land for other more lucrative uses in the foreseeable future.

There are a number of issues to be sorted out before a new regime could stage a meeting in 2019, the first of which is scheduled for late January. The racecourse owners do not own the racing dates, they were allocated by Horse Racing Ireland to the present team. HRI would need to have a number of assurances that all is well at Down Royal, or whatever the ‘new’ racecourse would be called.

The loss of racing at Down Royal to the community north of the border would be catastrophic, and even Downpatrick would surely rue its demise as it would weaken the racing infrastructure in the region. Having two vibrant racecourses is a plus, while the future of the Grade 1 chase, sponsored by current Down Royal chairman Jim Nicholson, would also be at risk.

For a racecourse with such a long history, and one with such an energetic, enthusiastic and innovative management team, to contemplate its loss is almost unimaginable. If the owners are committed to a long-term future for the course, surely the most strategic move would be to retain the current winning side.

The present scenario would be like an investor buying a top six Premiership team and clearing it out, replacing it with a whole new squad of players and management.

It will take some time for the dust to clear and for the real situation to become apparent. Mike Todd and his team will no doubt be working hard to ensure that the multi-award winning racecourse completes its 2018 programme with aplomb. In the meanwhile, HRI will have some big decisions to make after consulting with all parties. For the sake of Irish racing let’s hope a good and swift resolution is found.