Clonmel Oil Chase Day
The Association of Irish Racecourses is delighted to feature Clonmel Racecourse in this week’s column. DJ Histon shares all the details on the upcoming Clonmel Oil Chase Day.
The Clonmel Oil Chase has reached its 21st anniversary of sponsorship and is the biggest day of the year for the track. Taking place on November 9th, the team is hoping for another great winner of this iconic race.
It has produced many top-class winners over the years including Fakir D’Oudairies, that gelding followed up his Clonmel Oil Chase success with Grade 1 wins at Ascot and Aintree. Last year’s race was won by the Willie Mullins trained Blue Lord which followed up his Clonmel Oil Chase success with a Grade 1 win at Leopardstown over the Christmas.
DJ Histon, General Manager of Clonmel Racecourse said “We are extremely grateful to Clonmel Oil for their continued support and we look forward to welcoming a big crowd to Powerstown Park on November 9th for the feature race of the year at the venue. We are also looking ahead to our final race meeting of the year on December 7th sponsored by Jim Strang Peugeot Kilsheelan.”
Gates open at 11am with the action getting underway at 12.30pm on Thursday with Clonmel Oil sponsoring three races on the days card.
The afternoon programme also includes The Irish EBF T.A. Morris Memorial Listed Mares Steeplechase and a race in the Connollys Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle series. The track is delighted to welcome Racing TV as a new sponsor to this day and they will kindly sponsor the concluding bumper.
There will be live music in the Club Stand Bar. Tickets are available online and at the gate on the day, adult admission remains at €15 and children U18 go free when accompanied by an adult.
December 7th sees the final race meeting of the year at Powerstown Park with many groups choosing to host their Christmas party outing at the track. The day is kindly sponsored by Jim Strang Peugeot Kilsheelan.
There are silver and gold hospitality packages available offering admission, racecard, buffet, reserved tables and live music to complement a day of great racing and good fun. Overnight race and stay packages are also available from Hotel Minella and The Talbot Hotel Clonmel, check out their websites for more.
Hotel Minella are offering a very attractive Clonmel Oil Day package which includes a trip to the Minella Racing Stables the morning after your days racing at Powerstown Park. The Talbot Hotels have also donated a prize for an upcoming Horse Racing Ireland competition in association with Clonmel Oil Chase Day.
Track updates
Clonmel are looking forward to commencing their new build Weigh Room as part of their on-going commitment to enhancing the overall experience. Histon continued “The new development is with the planning authorities, but it is anticipated that works will commence before the end of the year. This long-awaited facility will be cited on the entrance side of the parade ring, allowing for a greater connection between the racing public and the action associated with the Weigh Room. In tandem with this development, we are also planning the installation of an on-site watering system to ensure an effective means of maintaining the ground in the drier months. The irrigation works should be completed by the end of April 2024 in time for that part of the racing calendar”.
The Association of Irish Racecourses sends their best wishes to DJ Histon and all the team at Clonmel Racecourse as they wind down their racing year. For more information and tickets visit clonmelraces.ie.
