The 99th National Coursing Meeting is an impressive number with one eye already on the big 100 in 12 months’ time. I wonder if those who instigated the first one in 1925 ever dreamt that it would still be going so strong in 2025 with only two years missed due to Foot and Mouth (1968) and Covid (2021).
The utter disappointment in the voices of those connections who had to ring this week to declare their greyhounds as non-runners showed once again what it means to coursing people to drive in the Lodge Gate on the first day of the National Meeting with a Derby or Oaks qualifier (and how hard it is to get there). We were gutted for each and every one of them but I suppose especially for 93 year old John Davern who was so looking forward to family joining him from overseas to cheer on Conigar Beauty. We hope that she and Rathduff Lyra, Busy Fools, Castlepark Sammy and Ballymac Peaky make it back next year for the Champion Stakes.
Preparing for the draw last Saturday it was very encouraging to see how many owners and syndicates we have with their first ever Clonmel runner. A good few of those Syndicates are made up of young people too and if they can get to the business end of things on Monday it will lead to an incredible atmosphere at Powerstown Park. However all the big guns are in there also and we can look forward to some great David v Goliath battles over the three days. Both Classics look wide open and at this stage it would be impossible to rule out any of the 128 participants.
The weather since Christmas, with heavy snow followed by Storm Eowyn, has really tested Team Powerstown this year but they are a hugely dedicated group and we wish them the very best this weekend. The goal of the hare husbandry team at every club is to get their stock running straight and home safe and it is no different at Clonmel except for the extra pressure of a National Meeting.
For those humming and hawing between the coursing and the Dublin Racing Festival don’t forget we have our on-course betting shop at Powerstown Park and the TVs in the marquee will also be showing the horse racing so you won’t miss a thing. There is brilliant racing at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Saturday & Sunday nights also. Saturday nights’ card will feature the two semi-finals of the Rural Kennels Open Unraced and on Sunday night the four finals and four Opens will include the final of the Sporting Press A1/A2 550. Doors open 4pm both evenings and the Ireland v England rugby game will be shown live on the TVs on Saturday evening. Remember too we have live music (and dancing) in our own Club Stand Bar at the racecourse from 3pm to 5pm after coursing on Sunday.
So the waiting is almost over for everyone. Ante-post betting has already been brisk but expect the bookmakers ring to be a hive of activity from 9.00am onwards tomorrow morning. Come early and enjoy a really good breakfast in the Club Stand Restaurant or visit the Trade Stands behind the TA Morris Grandstand. On Monday morning before coursing, in front of stables 54-58, you will be able to view the coursing saplings which are up for auction during the first interval at the TA Morris Grandstand. However most of all it is about renewing old acquaintances, making new ones and enjoying the amazing spectacle and atmosphere of an event that thankfully our predecessors had the foresight to initiate 100 years ago. This way to Clonmel !!!!