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Annaghmore - December 2002
Now with Christmas fast approaching and the racing season well and truly finished, a well deserved break - for all concerned (inc wives)!!! We can all sit back and reflect on the past racing season. We had our ‘teething problems’ but by the end of the season things were really beginning to take shape with fantastic racing and times to match!!!
Annaghmore passed the ‘Probationary period’ with flying colours - ‘flying’ being the operative word because no-one can deny the times achieved by horses this year, an achievement that speaks for itself!! Alex Patterson’s mare ‘Armbro Lobell’, current track record holder and her unbelievable time of 1.58.5, however this could well be broken with a further six months settlement into the track - perhaps by Miss Armbro Lobell herself, however Mr Boldrun Buddy may give her a ‘run’ for the money with the outstanding times achieved by him for owner Walter Stewart towards the end of the season. He just got faster and faster with every run.
I'm sure we all await future ‘Free for All's’ with baited breath, given the excitement and run up to these events last season.
The time has definitely come to weigh up what we have here at Annaghmore and how to go forward, to achieve more recognition thus bringing more sponsorship, however if everyone does a ‘little’ we’ll undoubtedly have a better season with higher prize-money. Annaghmore belongs to the people who support it and Annaghmore will become what the people make it. If it does not get the support it will fail, however if it gets the support it deserves it will go from strength to strength!! Last season was successful because of the support it gained from members. Its up to US to look after it and make it a success. The owners of Annaghmore are working away, developing, building and forging ahead whilst we curl up on the sofa warming our toes at the fire. So get thinking!!!!
With the unexpected closure of Portmarnock last year we were all in a state of shock, an institution - which it had become had been taken away from us.
Annaghmore opened and we all breathed a sigh of relief!! We were brilliantly supported by our neighbours across the border with at least a dozen horses every week and sponsorship from many families and also from the Club, the Irish Standardbred Association - prize-money would have been pretty poor some weeks without their help - which was greatly appreciated.
The Club in the North the Northern Ireland Standardbred Association gave all they had and left themselves with just enough to cover expenses. Thank you.
A very special thank you to Mr Nicholas Hannon (Nicky) who by himself raised over £1000 through work contacts - that’s what we need more of - people using their initiative, not necessarily on that scale - every penny helps, but as stated earlier ‘if everyone did a little’…. (BY THE WAY HAPPY BELATED 40TH BIRTHDAY TO NICKY!!!)
Despite the lack of facilities at Annaghmore last season, you all kept coming and supported racing well. It can only get better with the addition of the stand, bar and restaurant facilities. This will hopefully cater for everyone and make a ‘day at the races’ a day we all look forward to every week, come rain, hail or shine….
Regarding the rumours of the re-opening of Portmarnock - these can neither be confirmed or otherwise by Annaghmore, at the time of going to press no-one has heard anything.
At Annaghmore it was announced that a meeting was to be held at the Chimney Corner Hotel on Sunday 10th November 2002 regarding the track and leisure complex proposed at the site of the Valley Leisure Centre. 3 members arrived at the meeting. No-one in connection with the proposed development turned up. So again - nothing to report!!!
One thing however we can all be very sure of - Annaghmore will be opening on Easter Monday (April 21st 2003).A ‘Family Fun Day’ is the theme with bouncy castles, face painting, supervised pony rides etc etc.
We are also hoping to introduce a ‘Yearling Show’ on this day and if anyone has any other ideas - please don’t keep them to yourselves, contact Gillian (02891 816754).
Hopefully everyone will enjoy their break but REMEMBER Annaghmore opens on EASTER MONDAY and we need your support FROM that date. So don’t leave it too late - get your horse ready!
The ‘Wallace family’ wish to thank everyone for their support but in particular wish to thank everyone who gave up their valuable time and effort in helping make Annaghmore a success!!
Anyone wishing to book a stable at Annaghmore for the 2003 season please do so by January 1st 2003 to avoid dissapointment.
If anyone has any suggestions or ideas for raising funds or for the track itself please do not be shy, all comments are welcome.
NOTES FROM NISA
NISA wish to put feelers out to gather what the general feeling is re holding an Annual Dinner and Awards Dance sometime in late January/February 2003. Proposed venues are the ‘Ramble Inn’ or the ‘Chimney Corner Hotel’. If you believe this is a good idea and would be prepared to support it, please contact Gillian with details. Nothing can be done until the club have an idea of numbers interested.
A night at the races has also been suggested and is showing a lot of interest, this would probably take place sometime in Mar/Apr (before racing begins).
AGENDA
1. Annual Awards Night
2. Fundraising
3. Racing 2003
4. Any other business
With regard to sponsorship Annaghmore are plugging away and are attempting to gain sponsorship through various channels we however need you to do the same!!!
Coming soon
We already have our web-site up and running and are pouring as much information into it as possible at the moment. Address of web-site will be advertised on next issue.
Features will include video clips of various races at Annaghmore, reports, horses racing abroad, results, you will be able to enter your horse to race via the web, links to other Harness Racing web-sites throughout the world and many more features so please bear with us and if you don't possess a computer - ask Santa to bring you one!!!
Details of representatives to go on Governing Body for Annaghmore Equestrian, Sports & Leisure - As soon as the information is available, you will be duly notified - probably next issue (JANUARY).
With regard to the Clubs both North and South, we will hopefully have written reports each month from them. Details of forthcoming meetings etc will also be published on this Newsletter.
Next month we hope to have a full list of officers and committee of both Clubs together with named Representatives already in place on the Governing Body.
With reference to Horses Handicaps we hope to liase with the IHRC and have a full list of horses handicaps printed in the Newsletter prior to racing - in order to have any queries/amendments rectified before the commencement of racing!!
If anyone is interested in helping in any way please do not hesitate to contact Gillian. Also any ideas or suggestions are very welcome.
If anyone wishes to be added to the mailing list for the Annaghmore Newsletter please contact Gillian 02891 816754 with name and address.
IMPORTANT CONTACTS
STAGBI - Get your paperwork sorted early!!!
Mrs Bernadette Kelly Lawless Yard, North Street Swords Co Dublin 0874183786
