ALL-WEATHER TRACK MEDIA OPEN DAY Dundalk Stadium opened its doors for a Media Open Day today, to show, for the first time, horses in action on the new polytrack surface. Guests also toured the extensive new stadium facilities including the 400-seat restaurant, self-service carvery, fast-food outlet, several bars including a Sports Bar and stabling for 130 horses. Dublin-based recruitment and construction services company, MCR Group, who are the official sponsors of the opening meeting, MCR Group Race Day, on Sunday 26th August 2007, were guests of honour for the day. Representing MCR Group were Mr. Donall Barrett, Sales Director, Mr. Kealan Turley, Deputy Managing Director and Mr. Douglas Taylor, Managing Director. Jim Martin, Chief Executive of Dundalk stadium said: 'We are fast approaching the MCR Group Race Day and are looking forward to presenting a modern approach to racing in Ireland. In less than a year, we have upgraded all our facilities to offer the very best in customer service and we look forward to welcoming people to the opening meeting and 11 other fixtures scheduled for 2007.' The floodlights have been erected and are currently being tested, with the inaugural floodlit meeting due to be held on Thursday 27th September 2007. Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said: 'There is a great sense of anticipation about this new venture at Dundalk Stadium. It fills a keenly?felt need for Irish horses to have an opportunity to race on an all-weather surface and represents an exciting development of the racing experience for racegoers. The fact that the opening meeting is already a sell-out speaks volumes for its prospects and we were delighted to announce last week at the launch of the HRI fixture list, that Dundalk will stage 25 race-meetings in 2008'. Former Irish Champion Sprinter, Osterhase, trained by John Mulhern and ridden by Fran Berry, worked on the track today, along with six of Trainer Harry Rogers' charges ridden by Willie Supple and Andrew Lynch.
