Plans for more winter tracks

The Turf Club have made it a priority to put in place a plan to increase the number of tracks available to race in Ireland during the winter.

The current situation is that just 13 tracks are in a position to race between November and February and there is concern at the pressure those racecourses are under.

Chief executive Brian Kavanagh made the comments at yesterday's presentation of the Turf Club annual report where the historic agreement with the Department of Agriculture, which guarantees permanent funding for racing, was described as the highlight of a "challenging" 2000.

For the fifth successive year, the Turf Club announced a surplus. After tax, a figure of £116,000 was reached but that paled in comparison with others regarding the industry as a whole.

Total prizemoney in Ireland was up £3.8 million to £24.2 million and the prizemoney fund in this country has increased by a colossal 74 per cent since 1996. Last year over 22 per cent of races were worth £10,000 or more.

Other notable figures were a 36 per cent increase in sales turnover to £94 million, and there are now more racehorses in Ireland than ever before, with an average of 4,776, the highest ever recorded.

Kavanagh also confirmed the digital photo-finish cameras, which have been on trial at some tracks will be installed on a full-time basis in the near future.

Kieren Fallon is almost certain to be on board Epsom Derby favourite Golan when he goes to post with stablemate Dilshaan on June 9th.

He will have the choice of mounts, according to Sir Michael Stoute. But the trainer believes he will opt for the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas winner.

Should Fallon follow the expected route then Johnny Murtagh will partner Dilshaan.