Winter season at Dundalk starts on Friday

Dundalk Stadium officially ‘lights up’ on Friday 27th September with the launch of the ‘Floodlit Friday’ horse and greyhound racing season alongside greyhound racing only on a Saturday night.

Friday 27th September heralds the commencement of the autumn/winter series at Dundalk Stadium with the dual purpose format (horse and greyhound racing) taking place every Friday at the track up to and including 16th May 2013 (the only exception being Friday 27th December).

The first horse race is off at 6.20pm with a 7/8 race card every Friday night followed by an 8 race greyhound card from 9.40pm. The evening is capped with music to 12.30am.

Dundalk Stadium is Ireland’s only floodlit racecourse; therefore, the floodlights afford a continuation of the programme throughout the winter. A number of Listed Races will follow in October and November along with the Diamond Stakes Group 3 Race on Friday 4th October.

Emma Meehan, Sales & Marketing Manager at Dundalk Stadium said: “We are looking forward to the start of the season and are delighted to be in a position to provide an extension to the flat racing programme in Ireland throughout the winter.

"It allows us to showcase both sports every Friday evening whilst continuing to offer great value and plenty of action for our customers. We have many packages in place to suit all budgets; and we have just launched our Christmas racing packages which are already proving very popular!"

Dundalk Stadium celebrates 10 years since it officially opened its doors for business on Friday 29th November; the track has achieved many successes to date; not least becoming the world’s only dual purpose horse and greyhound stadium. There are may plans afoot for this meeting.

Race Meetings of Note:

** Friday 4th October – Diamond Stakes (Group 3) The Diamond Stakes moved to Dundalk in 2008, and since then it has been run on a polytack surface over 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 150 yards. It became Ireland's first non-turf Group race in 2009, when it was promoted to Group 3 status.

(last year the Diamond Stakes was won by ‘Declaration of War’ for trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Joseph O’Brien)

** Friday 11th October – Star Appeal (Listed) (last year the Star Appeal Stakes was won by ‘Lines of Battle’ for trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Joseph O’Brien)

** Friday 18th October – Carlingford Stakes (Listed) (last year the Carlingford Stakes was won by ‘Paene Magnus’ for trainer Jim Bolger and jockey Kevin Manning)

** Friday 25th October – Mercury Stakes (Listed) (last year the Mercury Stakes was won by ‘Balmont Mast’ for trainer Eddie Lynam and jockey Johnny Murtagh)

** Friday 1st November – Cooley Stakes (Listed) (last year the Cooley Stakes was won by ‘Lily’s Angel’ for trainer Ger Lyons and jockey Gary Carroll)

** Friday 29th November – 10 year celebrations Dundalk Stadium celebrates 10 years since it officially opened its doors for business

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COMPETITION

With thanks to Dundalk Stadium, we have ten pairs of tickets to giveaway for racing there this coming Friday, September 27th.

To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets, correctly answer the following question, and send it to [email protected], along with your name, address and contact number.

Question: When does the Group 3 Diamond Stakes take place at Dundalk Stadium?

Competition closes at 3pm on Thursday, September 26th, and winners will be contacted shortly afterwards.