The Turf Club has announced that Irish Starting Stall numbers will be brought into line with the rest of the world from this weekend.
Up to now the number 1 stall was always on the left when viewed from behind the stalls. Under the new system stall 1 will be on the left at left-hand tracks and on the right at right-hand tracks.
From Sunday, 10th April 2011, Starting Stalls at racecourses that have been classified as right handed tracks will be numbered in ascending order from right to left as you look through the stalls from behind with “Stall Number One” on the right. There will be no change in the draw numbering on left handed tracks where “Stall Number One” will be on the left hand side as you look through the stalls from behind.
The change in practice will be effective for all races, including those run on a straight course at these racecourses. The Clerk of the Course at each of these courses will continue to adopt their current practices with regard to where they position the starting stalls on the track for races run over a straight course.
The racecourses affected by the change are listed below and will take effect at their first meeting:
Ballinrobe Monday, 30th May
Clonmel Thursday, 26th May
Cork Saturday, 23rd April
Curragh Monday 2nd May
Down Royal Friday, 27th May
Fairyhouse Wednesday, 1st June
Galway Monday, 25th July
Gowran Park Sunday, 1st May
Limerick Friday, 17th June
Roscommon Monday, 9th May
Sligo Tuesday, 28th June
Wexford Friday, 20th May
The above changes mean that Ireland is now in line with the rest of the world with regard to stalls numbering.
