HRI launch student initiative Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) will distribute 35,000 racing vouchers at students’ Freshers Week events in 33 colleges and universities across the country this September and October in a bid to attract a new generation of racegoers. The vouchers allow free race-day admission at any one of 16 race days between September 30th and December 29th. Student race-days have proved very popular at a number of courses in recent years, notably at Limerick where over 9,000 attended in April this year. Cork ran a student day for the first time this year and attracted 2,000 students from CIT and UCC along with the YITBA. Leopardstown has created a new mid-week fixture on Wednesday 28th March 2012 which will be a dedicated student race-day for the greater Dublin area, while the next student aimed fixture is at Sligo on Wednesday 28th September. The Sligo meeting will principally cater for students of Sligo IT, offering transport, admission and a €5 euro bet along with competitions and entertainment for just €10. Michael O’Rourke, Director of Communications in HRI said: “Our Strategic Marketing Group Report looked for further engagement with third-level students as the race-goers and owners of the future. The racecourses have responded magnificently and this Freshers week initiative puts racing in front of a large potential audience. We also welcome new initiatives such as the Trinity College Racing Club and the dedicated student race-date for Leopardstown in 2012” Mark Kelly from Cork Racecourse said: “The student race evening in 2011 proved to be a great way of encouraging young people to enjoy racing as many of the students who attended returned for the Easter Festival and other meetings. We will build on that success with our 2012 student day’’. Russell Ferris, Manager of Limerick Racecourse said:- “The Student Race day has been an integral fixture in our racing calendar over the past number of years. The atmosphere the students generate is electric. I have never before heard a crowd cheering from when the horses leave the stalls to when they are crossing the finishing line. Planning for the 2012 student race day is underway and we can promise it will eclipse all previous events”. The 2012 official Student race dates are: - Cork - Thursday 22nd March Leopardstown - Wednesday 28th March Limerick - Thursday 29th March The Free Racing Vouchers for Students can be used on the following dates:- Gowran Park – Friday 30th September Tipperary – Sunday 2nd October Tramore – Thursday 6th October Curragh – Sunday 9th October Limerick – Sunday 9th October Dundalk – Friday 14th October Cork – Sunday 16th October Naas – Sunday 16th October Navan – Wednesday 19th October Clonmel – Thursday 27th October Naas – Saturday 29th October Leopardstown – Sunday 30th October Leopardstown – Sunday 6th November Naas – Saturday 12th November Fairyhouse – Wednesday 16th November Leopardstown – Thursday 29th December
