Irish tracks are good value
Sir, -
The value offering by many Irish racecourses is often the subject of much discourse in the Irish press and social media. However, as a keen racegoer – having visited racecourses in the UK and France, as well as many here over the last 12 months – I have to surmise that the Irish racing product is exceptionally good value, particularly in comparison to that of the UK.
Having visited Cheltenham for the November weekend, the entrance fee on the Sunday was £30 for a very poor card, the ‘highlight’ being the Grade 3 Greatwood Hurdle, which wasn’t so much of a hurdle after all – more akin to a NH flat race due to the removal of many of the hurdles.
The price of refreshments was truly eye-watering, not mouth-watering! £6.50 for a sausage roll, £7.50 for a Cornish pasty, £3.30 for a less than average cup of coffee, nearly £7.00 for a pint, I believe.
Contrast that to Naas the previous weekend, where you had the pleasure of a Grade 3 and a good supporting card, for €15.00, or the fact that if you go to the Punchestown Festival you can witness multiple Grade 1s in a day for about €30.
Cheltenham really needs to take a long look at itself. It is no wonder that visitor numbers from the UK to Irish race meetings are on the upward curve – we have top-quality racing here as well as a value for money experience.
I believe the industry needs to recognise this, but also continually seek to evolve and improve the product. There are certainly racecourses here that host Grade 1 action, where comfort and consideration would not be high on their list of priorities, but in the main, Irish racing offers a great experience.
As for Cheltenham, I am sure we will all continue to flock there in our droves in March, but I certainly will not be looking to entertain any notion of any of their other meetings.
Yours etc.,
AMANDA GRIBBON
North Co Dublin
Golden era
Sir,
Reading Ted Dwyer’s letter last week reminded me of how far Irish racing has come on since the end of World War II. Two trainers are mentioned, namely Vincent O’Brien and Dermot Weld. They have certainly made a major contribution to the high profile of Irish racing.
It is a pity that very little is now heard of the late Paddy Prendergast, or Darkie as he was known. Paddy started operations on his bike. His success with two-year-olds was legendary, both here and in England. Indeed the authorities across the water found reason to put a halt to his gallop by suspending him from sending horses to race there for some time.
It is largely forgotten that Prendergast was champion trainer in Britain in 1963, 1964 and 1965. Vincent O’Brien won his first championship there in 1966. This was golden the era of Noel Murless and Cecil Boyd-Rochford.
Neither should it be forgotten that Mickey Rogers was the first Irish-based trainer to bring the Derby trophy across the Irish Sea since Orby’s win in 1907. This was achieved through the 270 guinea yearling purchase Hard Ridden.
Long may the success of the Irish continue. Le gach dea-ghuí
Yours etc.,
MÍCHEÁL Ó DIARMADA,
Áth na Molt,
Droichead Binéid,
Co Chill Chainnigh.
Let bookies bet indoors
Sir,
I read with interest the article in The Irish Field last weekend about Naas Racecourse, its ambitions to stage a Grade 1 race and its disappointment at not receiving a nomination for the Racecourse of the Year Award.
Naas has certainly made great strides and I admire a lot of what they have acheived. However, as an on-course bookmaker, I feel obliged to point out how my colleagues and I in the betting ring feel we have been overlooked by the management.
The new Circle Building at Naas is located past the winning line and racegoers who emerge from its warmth to have a bet are exposed only to the ‘rails’ bookies. They are not encouraged to go into the main betting ring.
To do that, they must encounter some steppings which are a bit dangerous and I have seen a few people stumble there.
Naas has a very roomy Tote betting hall which could easily accommodate a few bookmakers. That would have been appreciated at a recent meeting where I and others in the ring got an absolute soaking. When I went to the management office and made my suggestion, an innocent assistant replied, ‘sure, the bookies are always outside.’
Of course, bookmakers are permitted to stand indoors at many of our tracks nowadays. The boards are linked to the main ring, ensuring that punters are offered fair price.
Again, I appluad Naas for their efforts and wish them well. Perhaps they could take heed of this letter and give the bookmakers a welcome Christmas present. It’s badly needed!
Yours etc.,
JIM DESMOND
Knock House
Rochestown
Cork
Letters to the Editor should be addressed to The Editor, The Irish Field, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12. Name, address and telephone number must be included for verification. Letters are published at the Editor’s discretion and the Editor reserves the right to edit letters within reason.