Down Royal meeting abandoned over 'pointless act'

A major two-day race meeting in Hillsborough had to be abandoned on Saturday because of a hoax bomb alert.

Police evacuated racegoers attending the Northern Ireland Festival of Racing at the Down Royal racecourse following a telephone warning, believed to have been from dissident republicans, claiming that a number of devices had been left at the racecourse.

In a statement Down Royal Racecourse Manager, Mike Todd, said: “This was a reckless and pointless act. Over 8000 people from all over Ireland and Britain had a wonderful day cut short because of the actions of a tiny minority who remain wedded to the past.

"We were denied some wonderful racing and again the entirely wrong message was sent out about Northern Ireland. Our principal concern at all times was for our patrons, the very many people involved professionally with our festival and the horses."

Mr Todd said that the emergency plan worked well and the evacuation took place without incident and was completed in 15 minutes.

"Regrettably we will not be in a position to run the three remaining races including the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase this year," he said. "This will not however deter us from continuing to improve the quality of our races and the facilities here at Down Royal. This in one of the few genuinely shared sporting events in the Northern Ireland calendar and we are determined to continue to offer everyone in Northern Ireland, on the Island of Ireland and from further a field the opportunity to come race together and enjoy the very best of Northern Irish hospitality and sport."

Mr Todd said that planning work for the Boxing Day meeting would go ahead as normal and announced that there would be a "free £5 bet on the tote for everyone through the turnstiles on that day."

He added: "Over the past twenty-four hours we have been encouraged at heartened by the support we have received from the owners, trainers and jockeys who have expressed their continued support and commitment for the future. Bookmakers will refund all bets placed on races not run.”

Following an extensive search army technical experts examined one suspect package at a marquee that was eventually declared to be a hoax device.

(SP/GB)