THE two Peters, Roe and Killeen, were on hand this week to launch the 2018/19 Meath National Hunt season. Both are looking forward to some great action.

Peter Roe, general manager of Fairyhouse said: “Last season saw many of the stars of the jumping scene run at these tracks including Sizing John, Footpad and Apples Jade to name just a few. This season promises to be another fantastic jumps season at both tracks. We are particularly delighted with the quality of entries for the Bar One Winter Festival at Fairyhouse on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd December.”

Peter Killeen, general manager of Navan, added: “The Meath Racing Launch has become an annual event and it really helps highlight the quality of the National Hunt fare on display at Navan and Fairyhouse over the winter.” Both men were joined by a panel of experts, including leading locally-based trainers and jockeys to mark racegoers’ cards for the months ahead.

Later in the week I caught you with the Navan boss Peter Killeen who outlined plans for his course. “All the team at Navan are now getting geared up for what is our busiest period of the year. It all kicks off on Sunday with a really strong card and three graded races, the feature being TheTote.Com Fortria Chase which has attracted some really exciting entries from all the top yards.

WEATHER

“After what can only be described as freakish weather conditions this year, we have been very fortunate with the timing of the recent rainfall to give us the prospect of really lovely ground, the easy side of good, for Sunday. Hard to believe that this time last year we were all discussing the record levels of rainfall!

“When we catch our breath after the weekend we head into what is our biggest fixture of the year, the Ladbrokes Troytown Chase Day on the 25th, which includes three graded races and a listed mares’ bumper. We finish 2018 with two December fixtures. So a busy few weeks with fixtures that always attract the top trainers and horses, and hopefully have the turnstiles clicking as well.”

Speaking of turnstiles, Peter had news about some work underway at the track. “We are continuing to try and improve the customer-facing areas in Navan, and have recently begun refurbishing our entrance area which I hope meets with our patron’s approval. It’s all about trying to attract people racing, and when you get them here to give them a good experience.

“I don’t think some of the stay at home racing fans realise how accessible the big names in racing are. It struck me recently when we held our launch in conjunction with Fairyhouse just how generous and accessible our racing stars are. It’s worth acknowledging the panel of Noel Meade, Gordon Elliot, Barry Geraghty, Sean Flanagan and Breen Kane, all of whom gave up their time to help attract racegoers and to promote the season. I don’t think there is any other sport where leading participants give up their time free of charge.”

Another project the team at Navan have been working on recently is to develop the inside of the course into a schooling track.

SCHOOLING

Peter explained: “We have managed to do this with little or no impact on our decorative trees and plants in the centre of the track and hopefully we will have a few schooling days under our belt this time next year.

“There are always ongoing projects to improve the track and facilities, but our focus at the moment is on providing the best racing surface we can and to make sure our customers have an enjoyable day.”