WHAT have War Of Attrition, Sizing Europe, Don Poli, Road To Riches and Vroum Vroum Mag got in common? They have all raced at Clonmel in recent years, affording racegoers at the Co Tipperary venue an opportunity to see stars of the track at close quarter.

Clonmel kicks off its 2017 racing programme on Thursday, February 2nd and manager DJ Histon is looking forward to the year ahead. As one of three racecourses in the county, he is aware of the challenges in attracting crowds, but feels that Clonmel has its own unique appeal.

“We are fortunate to be nestled among a strong National Hunt community, and as we race mainly on a Thursday it is seen as a traditional Clonmel day. Like any business we had to weather the downturn, but we can see a real uplift and positive vibe around horse racing, and this confidence is matched by HRI’s commitment in terms of capital grant aid to develop facilities for all participants.

“Clonmel Supporters Club also do a great job promoting racing to the uninitiated and in seeking out new sponsors.”

Histon’s model for sponsorship is to work closely with local businesses, building a synergistic relationship so that there is value for both sides. “With the right facilities and a positive brand of racing developed over many years, it is certainly easier to sell sponsorship packages than in the past.”

The Clonmel Oil Chase in November is the feature race of the season, but the year’s racing also starts off with an attractive card which includes a Grade 3 novice hurdle. The importance of having such races is acknowledged by Histon. “Graded races create a strong focus around that particular meeting and generally attract extra customers through the gate. Such races become associated with your track and more especially if the winners go on to even greater success, as their win at Clonmel will always form part of their story.”

Trainers are enticed to run their charges when they can be assured of perfect ground conditions, and the recent favourable climate means that Histon can be confident about his track. “Our ground has never been better. The mild winter helped us greatly and provided great choice of running lines for our upcoming meetings.”

When Histon joined the team at Clonmel in October 2008 he quickly embarked on a twin-track approach of upgrading facilities and introducing additional benefits to winning owners. The course has been reaping the rewards of the improvements made in 2009 under the HRI Capital Development Scheme when all of its customer areas were upgraded to a high standard. Soon they hope to embark on more work to provide a modern jockeys’ room, weigh room, stewards’ room, valet area, ambulance room and more, so there is much to look forward to.

No man is an island and Histon deflects much of the credit for the track’s current buoyant state to others. “I believe we have one the most picturesque tracks in the country, with a top-class ground-staff to ensure the most appropriate surface is produced for each meeting. Our entry numbers are strong and the condition of our surface under the guidance of Lorcan Wyer, our Clerk of the Course, is commented on favourably time and time again.”

Were Histon to be granted a single wish for Irish racing, he is in no doubt what it would be. “Keep investing in facilities and prizemoney. In that way the supplier of the raw material and the customer are catered for.”