Dublin Racing Festival faces potential cancellation due to flooding
Severe flooding is threatening the opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse, with betting markets indicating a high likelihood of cancellation. Paddy Power has set odds of 4-7 against the event proceeding, while the Betfair Exchange rates it at 2-5 not starting as planned, reports BritPanorama.
Conditions at the course are dire, with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board confirming that 22mm of rain fell in the last 24 hours, totalling 193mm over 14 days. They stated that the course is soft to heavy, and parts of the hurdle track are currently unfit for racing. Further rainfall of 10-20mm is anticipated before Saturday.
Ground staff have been working diligently to mitigate the impact of the persistent downpours, which have left significant sections of the course underwater. Earlier footage showed fencing along the back straight completely submerged, and large portions of the track remain waterlogged despite a rapid clean-up operation that cleared flooded areas within six and a half hours.
Inspection of the conditions is set for 2:30 PM on Friday, with thousands of racegoers already anticipating the sold-out event. The highlights of the first day include Galopin Des Champs, who aims for a historic fourth Irish Gold Cup victory. However, should officials determine the ground unsafe, disappointment is expected to ripple through the crowd.
Contingency plans are being discussed in case the racing is abandoned. One option involves shifting the entire programme back by a day, with Sunday’s fixtures postponed to Monday, which is a bank holiday in Ireland. Another proposal suggests holding an all-chase card on Saturday if conditions permit, thereby allowing the hurdle course additional recovery time for Sunday’s highly anticipated Irish Champion Hurdle.
The festival had already suffered a significant setback earlier in the week when Willie Mullins withdrew Kopek Des Bordes from the Irish Arkle due to health concerns, leaving owner Charlie McCarthy feeling “heartbroken” over the decision.
This continuing saga of extreme weather serves as a reminder of the fragile nature of outdoor events, as well as the tenacity of those who strive to ensure the show goes on, rain or shine.
