Track boost for Carlisle
Carlisle Racecourse have unveiled details of a £1.5m (€2.2m) investment by Jockey Club Racecourses which includes the development of a new dedicated hurdles track.
The project is expected to cost in the region of £1m (€1.48m), leaving the other £500,000 (€743,000) to be invested in new drainage – with the specific aim of reducing the number of fixtures Carlisle were forced to abandon this winter.
When work is finished it will leave Carlisle with three separate courses for each dedicated code of racing – Flat, hurdling and chasing.
Carlisle racecourse managing director John Baker said: “When our ground staff started work on a new canter down in the centre of the track, it became apparent we might be able to construct an entirely new track on the inside of the existing course.
“The new hurdles track will be created without impacting on the existing fixture list and could be ready by October 2009.
“It will mean less abandonments and in time more fixtures may be possible, as each surface will suffer less wear and tear and will be better drained.
Leading Cumbrian trainer Nicky Richards welcomed Carlisle’s investment plans and said: “National Hunt racing needs as much help as it can get and this is a very exciting and innovative move by Carlisle.
“It should hopefully mean that there will be more meetings with better ground, so more opportunities for my owners, and will be great for racing in the North.”
