Horse Racing Ireland has approved the following fixture changes for 2008 involving the Curragh.
Friday 12 September – The Curragh will now transfer to Tuesday 30 September.
Sunday 28 September – The fixture will now transfer from Naas to the Curragh.
Outlining the reasons for the alterations, HRI Director of Racing Jason Morris explained: 'These alterations were brought about due to the delayed start for the re-development of The Curragh.
The traditional Curragh fixture on Sunday 28 September, featuring the Group 2 Juddmonte Beresford Stakes, had previously transferred on a one-year only basis to Naas, but the HRI Fixtures Committee has now agreed to reverse this switch for 2008 at the request of the Curragh Racecourse and Goffs, and with the full agreement and co-operation of Naas Racecourse.
This transfer of 28 September fixture back to the Curragh will enable the Parknasilla Hotel Goffs Millions to take place at this meeting on the eve of the Goffs Million Sale.
Entries for the two races now close on Wednesday 6th February. A list of the eligible horses is available on the Goffs website www.goffs.com and race entry details will be published in this week’s Irish and British Racing Calendars.
As a consequence of the Goffs Million races moving from the fixture on Friday 12th September, the HRI Fixtures Committee has agreed this meeting can be transferred to Tuesday 30 September in order to preserve the best possible ground for the Irish Field St Leger/Bank of Scotland National Stakes weekend on 13/14 September.”
Paul Hensey, Curragh Racecourse Manager commented: 'We are very grateful to Naas Racecourse for agreeing to switch the 28 September fixture back to the Curragh for 2008.
'We are confident that we have identified the best possible long-term date for the Goffs Millions races, which will allow us to build an exceptional day’s racing.'
