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.