Royal Turf Club commences races today

Saturday, 20 August 2016 00:40 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Nuwara Eliya will be all agog when the Royal Turf Club (RTC) kicks off the next horse racing season on 20 August at the Nuwara Eliya Race Course.

Fashion shows by Ramona Oshini, Charini, Amilani, and Zudhora, music by Chandralekha and Rukantha, entertainment for kids and all the fun associated with clean racing is on the cards.

“Seven races are programmed for the meeting on 20 August, for which just under Rs. 2,000,000 in prize money will be distributed. The feature race will be The RTC Breeze up Auction Class 1 Handicap over 1400M,” said RTC CEO Wayne Wood.

As always there will also be prizes galore on offer. The Best Dressed Lady will get an item of jewellery courtesy Sifani Jewellers, while the Best Dressed Gentleman will get a voucher from Hameedias. The Best Hat will receive a gift pack and vouchers from Spa Ceylon, while Spa Ceylon will also give out gift packs for all VIP invitees. A novel feature of today’s races is the fact that the Racecourse in Nuwara Eliya which is steeped in history will be scripting an entirely new chapter in its archives with the hosting the first Auction Sale of Thoroughbred Racehorses and it promises to be something really special.

The horses for sale are all seasoned campaigners so you have a huge advantage in that you will have the opportunity to buy a ‘readymade race horse’ or one that is ready to race and earn his keep. It’s the beginning of a new era in the history of the Sri Lankan Turf and the Royal Turf Club is set to go even further after this innovative and imaginative step to encourage and popularise this truly magnificent sport.

As is the norm with the RTC, drug free racing is a given, with the welfare of the animal being uppermost.