By Daithi Harvey
The upwardly mobile Bellewstown Racecourse is the latest Irish track to sign off on a significant capital development project. As the Meath track prepares for its annual summer festival next week – which is now a four-day meeting – plans have been announced to invest over half a million Euros in developing permanent stabling facilities. Up to now the Bellewstown committee has had to rent temporary stabling facilities for runners but soon after next week's festival is put to bed work is to begin on building 110 permanent stables.
The track is benefitting from a contribution of €221,000 through the HRI Racecourse Capital Development scheme and commenting on the plans Kevin Coleman, Bellewstown racecourse manager, said, “The management, chairman and committee of Bellewstown Races are delighted with the news and wish to thank Horse Racing Ireland for their help, support and guidance through a very detailed application process. Bellewstown is a small rural track and this development is very positive for us going forward. The new stable blocks will ensure the best of facilities for horses, stable staff and officials.”
HRI Chief Executive, Brian Kavanagh, added, “The board of Horse Racing Ireland is delighted to approve capital development grand aid to Bellewstown and this announcement is timely as it comes just ahead of the racecourse's four-day July summer festival. To date over €21.7 million has been provided in grant aid to 22 racecourses around the country, supporting over 100 different projects aimed at improving customer and industry facilities. Critically, each approved project provides construction work and secures local employment, further emphasising the vital role of racecourses and the wider racing and breeding industries as contributors to the local economy.”
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