Horseracing: Royal Turf Club to kick off races on March 20

The newly formed Royal Turf Club (RTC) will begin its racing calendar with a meet that consists of eight races on March 20 at the Nuwara Eliya Race Course. 

The CEO and Chairman of Stipendiary Stewards, Wayne Wood, will conduct RTC’s inaugural race where the Premier Cup will be the main event. 

According to Wood a total of eight races will be run on March 20. 

The RTC Premier Cup, a Class 1 Stakes 1600metre race will be the main event of the day with other races, Class 2 Stakes 1400metres, Class 3 Stakes 1400metres, Class 4 Stakes 1200metres, Class 5 Stakes 1200metres, 3-year-old Maiden Stakes 1100metres, 3/4 Thoroughbred Stakes 1000metres and 1/2 Thoroughbred Stakes 1000metres, in the lineup.
 
The RTC have to date made a size-able investment to develop the infrastructure, which includes renovating the track and replacing the track railings, renovating the Grand Stand, Steward Room, Jockey’s Rooms, as well as all other Race Course buildings which were in need of extensive repairs.   

The RTC intends to continue with its programme of development by investing in the Race Track and attendant infrastructure over the next two years, in partnership with foreign investors, with a view to making Sri Lanka and Nuwara Eliya, a racing hub for the region. 

As part of their long term development strategy, in addition to Wood, the RTC have also secured the services of Sinclair Marshall as Clerk of the Course and Stipendiary Steward. 

Under the guidance of these two renowned names in the global world of horse racing and the experienced Royal Turf Club committee, it is the aim of the club to  elevate and uplift the standard of horse racing in Sri Lanka to new heights and bring back the traditions of this  gentlemanly sport.