CLONMEL has been given a new flat fixture on Wednesday evening, September 16th, to replace the meeting scheduled for next Wednesday (September 2nd), which was cancelled due to ground conditions, caused by the prolonged dry period.

Horse Racing Ireland has already scheduled a replacement flat card at Navan next Wednesday evening to fill the gap in the calendar. This card contains races lost at Bellewstown last Tuesday.

Clonmel manager D.J. Histon said: “There is no problem area on the track, and this is not a drainage or construction matter. The issue is course-wide, and it is a weather one: restricted grass growth across the racecourse, caused by the prolonged drought affecting the Clonmel area.”

He pointed to Met Eireann records, which confirm that not only was July the driest on record nationally, “Moore Park in Fermoy, one of the nearest synoptic stations to us, had its driest and warmest month in a 62-year record, and the second-longest heatwave in the Irish series at 13 days. Clonmel recorded the joint-hottest day in Ireland on July 11th at 31C.”

Histon said that watering is not a problem at Clonmel. “We have consistently produced safe ground whenever watering has been required. The dry conditions have stunted grass growth, and it is the grass that ultimately holds the moisture and provides purchase. We are irrigating, we have verti-drained and taken agronomist advice. Fertiliser spread earlier is now taking effect with the rain.

“We anticipate being back racing within a fortnight, and we thank owners, trainers, jockeys, stable staff, racegoers, bookmakers and the racing media for their understanding. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Powerstown Park.”

An IHRB spokesperson added: “The early decision to cancel Clonmel was a pragmatic one made between the racecourse management and IHRB clerk of the course in the interests of all stakeholders.

“Following a prolonged period of extremely dry and warm weather in the Clonmel area, grass growth has been impacted to such an extent and, while a programme of watering and ground preparation was well underway, the fixture next Wednesday was just coming too soon. This early decision allows contingencies to be put in place.”

Asked if the IHRB was aware of other racecourses likely to face similar problems in the coming weeks, and if the IHRB was factoring climate change into its long-term plans, the spokesperson said: “The IHRB will continue to keep the current weather and any implications under review.

“As is the case all year round, clerks of the course are liaising with racecourses regularly. Before now, we have been very cognisant of climate change and changes to the weather patterns, with more extreme weather events becoming the norm and we will work closely with racecourses, HRI and all racing stakeholders to adapt and respond accordingly, going forward.”

Paul Hensey, chief executive of the Association of Irish Racecourses, is optimistic that the autumn jumps season in Ireland will not be severely impacted by the warm summer.

“Unlike the UK, most of our NH racecourses continue to race during the summer months, so they may not be as burned up due to continued watering,” he said. “Most have very good watering systems, and they all have access to plenty of water if required.”