Bomb hoax ruins meeting

Down Royal Report: Some 8,000 race-goers from all over Ireland had to leave Saturday's prestigious meeting at Down Royal near Lisburn because of what has been called "an elaborate bomb hoax".

The organisers called for the stands and hospitality venues to be vacated and ushered the crowds onto the race track as British Army technical experts were called in to examine a suspect device.

Course manager Mike Todd, who confirmed that Saturday's meeting will not be rescheduled, condemned the hoaxers but pledged that all bets placed on races not run would be refunded through bookmakers.

He called the scare a "reckless and pointless act" carried out by "a tiny minority who remain wedded to the past".

The alert came during the second day of the Northern Ireland Festival of Racing. Todd said the course had been evacuated within 15 minutes.

"We were denied some wonderful racing and again the entirely wrong message was sent out about Northern Ireland," he said.

"Our principal concern at all times was for our patrons, the very many people involved professionally with our festival and the horses."

However, he added the three remaining races, including the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase, would not be run this year.

"We can't really. You have one day to do it and that day is gone," he said after also reporting a number of controlled explosions carried out by security services. "It is either an elaborate hoax or there is something there," he said.

The decision was taken yesterday as police examinations of the racecourse continued and condemnation grew for an incident which resulted in the evacuation of the large crowd on Northern Ireland's biggest racing day of the year.

"Over the past 24 hours we have been encouraged and heartened by the support we have received from the owners, trainers and jockeys who have expressed their continued support and commitment for the future," added Todd.

One racing enthusiast told The Irish Times: "There was a good atmosphere. Everyone was looking forward to the big race which included Beef or Salmon and War of Attrition"

"The first two races were run and then I was going out to back a horse when word came from the tannoy to leave the stands and marquees and to head for the safety of the racetrack."

After several minutes people did as they were told.

The witness continued: "I left the marquee where there were various corporate tables including Hugh Orde (PSNI Chief Constable), the word came through and I saw him checking on his mobile. Bríd Rodgers (a former minister) was also there. People cleared the area with good humour though some were disgruntled."

"There was a huge sense of disappointment. It was a top class meeting with great horses and everyone just had to get up and leave."