Biggest Cork flat meet of 2016 in Mallow on Sunday
IRISH AND UK TRAINERS TO VIE FOR MUNSTER OAKS AS TRACK CELEBRATES FLAT INDUSTRY
A VERY special event on the Cork horse racing calendar will take place next Sunday at a meet taking place in the Cork Racecourse, Mallow.
The venue, in conjunction with a group of Cork based flat breeders, will stage a unique race day providing hospitality to owners and traders as a mark of appreciation for the ongoing support they give to the race track.
The ‘Cork Flat Breeders Day’ will take place on the most prestigious day of the Cork flat racing calendar, with a meet featuring seven race card sponsored by Coral with a total prize fund of a whopping €220,000.
The first race of the day will go to post at 2.20pm.
The highlight of the day will be the Group 3 Coral.ie Munster Oaks Stakes, which will see top trainers from Ireland and the UK go head-to-head with a prize fund of €75,000 up for grabs.
British trainers William Haggas, Ed Dunlop and Hugo Palmer all have entries into the 3.55pm race, as do Irish trainers Aidan O’Brien, John Ox, Dermot Weld. Weld will be hoping for a repeat of his recent Epsom Derby win, which saw his horse Harzand past the post in pole position.
Ironically, the horse claimed its maiden victory at the Easter meeting at Cork Racecourse in March.
Mary Kelly, the sales and marketing manager at the Cork Racecourse, said Sunday promised to be an exciting day for race goers.
“This is the biggest flat racing day of the year in Cork and we are expecting a bumper crowd to come along and enjoy a card of top class racing,” said Mary.
Commenting on the flat breeders hospitality initiative, track manager Andrew Hogan said it was their way of saying ‘ thank you’ to industry insiders for their support.
“Our aim is to ensure that everyone – owners, trainers, breeders and guests – have a really enjoyable day. We would like then to know that they are appreciated by Cork Flat Breeders and the Cork Racecourse,” said Mr Horgan.
Each stud involved will host a table for trainers and owners, who will be treated to a drinks reception and a buffet lunch.
Frank Motherway of the Killeagh-based Yellowford Stud said they were delighted to support the initiative.
“It will allow us to show our appreciation of racehorse owners for their investments into the sport while at the same time raising the profile of our local racecourse,” said Mr Motherway. Brendan Holland of Grove Stud in Fermoy said it was great to be able to support such a “forward thinking” initiative. “Hopefully, our guest will enjoy great afternoon of racing alongside our famed Cork food and hospitality,” he said. For more details and race day packages visit www.corkracecourse.ie.