RTC ready for August season
RTC officials (from left) Cyrus Madan, Suranjith Premadasa and Wayne Wood making the official announcement for the second season - Pic by M.A. Pushpakumara
After successfully conducting its inaugural horse racing season in April and May, the Royal Turf Club (RTC) is on the verge of coming out with a well-structured second season inclusive of 19 race days. After giving its highly improved track and facilities at the Nuwara Eliya Racecourse, the RTC is eagerly waiting to launch its second season on August 6, totally dedicated for charity. Named the Charity Race Day, the RTC hopes to contribute all proceeds from the event to Sri Lanka Cancer Society, with intentions of conducting a back-to-back successful season with 18 more races, with an average of a race every two weeks until early next year. Unveiling its plans for the forthcoming season, which also includes a series of other aspects related to horse racing, the RTC hopes to generate more involvement of the general public with intentions of making it a sport for all.
This was revealed at a launching ceremony held in Colombo by RTC officials — President Suranjith Premadasa, Chief Executive Officer Wayne Wood and Consultant Cyrus Madan. ”Running of five meets commencing March 20 to April 30 was a great success, thanks to the sponsorships. The RTC staged the first race where Rs 1,000,000 was awarded to the winner. All-in-all 35 races were run during the festival season, attracting 176 starters with a total of Rs. 11,053,250 being distributed as prize money. The five thoroughbred trainers shared Rs. 1,104,500 among them while 23 licensed riders shared Rs. 828,374. In addition, the season saw a major boost in sports tourism in the area with a massive increase in bookings at all hotels.
On April 16 alone, there was a tremendous increase of 1000 room nights and overall the season saw an increase of 2,100 room nights. This is a major flow on effect when this industry is conducted in a professional manner. I can assure you that if any licensee were to be asked if they approved of the conduct of racing under the RTC, you would receive a resounding yes,” Summarising the success of their inaugural season, Wood stated. Revealing their plans on RTC’s future activities, Wood stressed that there was plenty to look forward to. Among the top races are the Charity Race Day on August 6, the Ladies’ Day on September 17, the Deepawali Race Day on October 29, the Guy Fawkes Day on November 5 and the Christmas Cup on December 10. Races will continue every two weeks until May 17, 2017.
In addition to the races, the RTC is seriously laying its focus on other avenues which will benefit horse racing and its future and the region of Nuwara Eliya in the country in whole. Among subjects they are willing to focus seriously on are foreign investment, setting up an Equine hospital, horse auction conducted regularly, bringing down a state-of-the-art starting gate which the RTC hopes to make use of at all meets, eradicating betting from the sport, contributing their bit towards sports tourism and the community, working in cohesion with the Sri Lankan government to support animal welfare, introducing and maintaining a stud book and contributing towards charity.
“A new saddling enclosure will also be constructed behind the jockey room at the Nuwara Eliya Racecourse. Currently under construction is a sand track for exercising the additional horses that have arrived and are also in quarantine in Chennai. Some 35 extra horses will be using the track from the start of the season. We are confident that more horses will arrive during the season and plans have also been approved for an equine swimming pool. We are also started to make use of the specially made containers to transport horses across the oceans and land.
By now we have proved that thoroughbred horse racing can be run professionally, we are being approached constantly by interested stakeholders, who are willing to be part of our multifaceted exercise, which is a globally potential industry,” Wood stressed. With more activities and intended plans deemed to be beneficial for the development of the sport and the country, the RTC hopes to conduct a smoothly-run second season with more attractive cash prizes to be offered. After taking off nearly 15 weeks to plan out their second phase of action which will run for almost 32 week, the RTC is hopeful that it can transform horse racing to be a lucrative sport in time to come.