Race company move ahead with track plans
June 1987
DUNDALK Race Company is moving ahead with its plans to develop the racecourse, and preparations are underway for the most valuable meeting ever staged at the track.
There is total prizemoney of £22,000 for the Glen Dimplex race day, an evening fixture on Wednesday, 17 June.
Glen Dimplex is sponsoring each of the seven races, and the programme includes a handicap chase, two hurdles, a bumper and three flat races.
At each of the eleven meetings this year, a Renault 5 car is up for grabs in a free racecard competition, and two were won last month.
The new race company took over the course last June, and to date has spent £70,000, with the assistance of grant aid from the Racing Board, on track improvements.
A major development is the provision of a new function room, achieved by extending the owners’ and trainers’ bar,
It comfortably seats 120 people, and is available for hire.
The company also wants to broaden the appeal of the Dowdallshill facility.
It is currently in discussions with Dundalk Aero Club, regarding the building of a landing strip.
Oriel Harriers are considering constructing an indoor jumping arena and providing a riding school.
There is also a proposal to create a motor-cross track.
Harness racing is taking place, and a decision is pending on whether to make Dundalk the sport’s national headquarters. This would entail laying a special track at a cost in excess of £200,000.
Upon taking over, Dundalk Race Company issued new share capital for members of the public to purchase a stake in the company.
No one person can buy more than one share, and some are still available at £2,000.