Big race action set for Navan
Navan racecourse manager Peter Killeen was joined on stage by his Fairyhouse counterpart Peter Roe last night for the launch of the Meath Winter Racing Festival at the local tracks in front of an enthusiastic audeince at Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim.
Some rare black and white footage of racing at the Navan track was shown on the big screens around the function room.
This year there will be a special Ladies Day competition at the prestigious Troytown raceday
With a history dating back almost 100 years, Navan holds a significant position within Irish racing and hosts high profile races in both national hunt and flat racing.
The historic Troytown Handicap Chase, the Fortria Chase, the Lismullen Hurdle, the Boyne Hurdle and the Monksfield Novice Hurdle are the big races on the National Hunt side of things.
In the interviews with the panel after the launch jockey Robbie Power suggested that there should be a Grade One national hunt race at the Navan track.
The Group 3 Vintage Crop Stakes and the Listed Salsabil Stakes are the feature Flat events at Navan.
The facilities at Navan Racecourse are constantly improving and include one of the best viewing Owners’ and Trainers’ Bar in the country.
There is also an outstanding restaurant facility that includes three panoramic hospitality suites catering for all types of functions from corporate entertaining to the staff get-together.
It is also family friendly with an excellent children's playground and playroom adjacent to the Coffee Lounge.
“The team at Navan are really excited about the approaching winter National Hunt fixtures with the key days being the Tote Fortria Chase (13th November) and the Ladbrokes Troytown Chase (27th November),” commented Killeen.
“With the Fortria over the years throwing up winners like Moscow Flyer, Big Zeb and Flemenstar, its whets the appetite for the National Hunt fans.
It will also be interesting to see if Gordon Elliott will attempt a hat-trick for the Troytown Chase this year having won it with Riverside City last year and Balbriggan the previous year.
“We hope to build on the success of our well attended Troytown fixture last year and have the added attraction of our Ladies Day competition which has the most generous giveaway in prizes including a shopping spree and a holiday,' added Killeen.
“As we approach Christmas I would encourage readers to check out the fantastic value that our membership has to offer which might tick the box for those who are looking for the ideal Christmas gift,” he concluded.