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Racing community welcomes reopening of Hereford

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Hereford

Hereford: will fully reopen on October 6

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)  

 By Andrew Dietz 8:07AM 22 JAN 2016 

THE revelation that racing will return to Hereford racecourse in October has been greeted by widespread approval from the racing community.

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The Racing Post on Thursday announced the course will fully reopen on October 6 with a further three meetings to follow before the end of the year and the intention to stage around a dozen fixtures annually from 2017.

Hereford, where racing has taken place since 1771, was controversially closed in 2012 by the then Arena Leisure and Northern Racing, who deemed it unviable after a dispute with Herefordshire Council.

Following news of the jumps track’s reopening, trainer Jonjo O’Neill tweeted: “Brilliant to see racing return to Hereford. Great news for all in the game.”

David Pipe echoed those sentiments when tweeting: “Fantastic news that @HerefordRaces is set to reopen. Great effort from Martin Cruddace and @arenaracingco – a job well done.”

David Dennis, one of the more local trainers alongside Venetia Williams, Evan Williams and Kerry Lee, added on Twitter: “‏Great news can’t wait #onlyuptheroad.”

Happy memories

Fellow jockey-turned-trainer Brendan Powell has fond recollections of the course. He tweeted: “Great to see Hereford racecourse is to open again. One of my favs. Had my last ride there before retiring. Be nice to go back.”

Alan King is a big fan of the course, where he ran good horses such as Fork Lightning, Invictus and Penzance, and had been delighted to hear rumours of its reopening.

In his column in the Racing Post Weekender he wrote this week: “It was a track I always loved and we’ve missed it greatly.”

The October 6 card will be transferred from Worcester by the now Arena Racing Company, with further meetings to follow on October 31 (switched from Southwell), November 23 (Fontwell) and December 19 (Lingfield).

‘Central part of community’

Arc is looking to recruit a person to manage Hereford and said it will work with the council on a long term lease and future investment programme for the course.

Speaking for Herefordshire Council, cabinet member Harry Bramer added: “The council is delighted to see the reopening of Hereford racecourse. It is a central part of the local community and will have a beneficial effect on the local area.

“In recent months we have positively engaged with Arc and welcome the investment it is making to bring racing back to the city. We look forward to continuing our successful relationship with Arc for the benefit of the county.”

Welcoming the news, BHA chief executive Nick Rust said: “Given the challenges facing jump racing, as highlighted in our recent review, the BHA believes the reopening of Hereford racecourse is an encouraging step. The course will provide a greater spread of opportunities for horses and another venue for racing fans to enjoy the sport throughout the winter months.

“The racecourse had always retained its licence and as such the BHA has facilitated the transfer of a small number of fixtures from other Arc racecourses to Hereford racecourse for 2016.

“For 2017, the racecourse will take part in the 2017 fixture process in the same manner as the other 59 courses.”

Positive sign for racing

Horsemen’s Group chairman Philip Freedman is confident that owners, trainers and jockeys will be delighted by Hereford’s reopening and said: “It has always been a popular track and horsemen will no doubt show their support once racing recommences in October.

“Jump racing needs tracks such as this and it is a positive sign for its future that we can once again look forward to years of sporting action at Hereford racecourse.”

 

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