Sky Racing accepts Eagle Farm racing reductions

Ben Dorries - Thursday August 10

Sky Racing will accept a key recommendation of the Eagle Farm report that the controversial track have a greatly reduced racing workload when it re-opens next year.

Broadcaster Sky Racing has accepted a key track report finding to the reduce Eagle Farm racing workload over the next three years  Photo: Steve Hart

There had been speculation that Tabcorp-owned broadcaster Sky could have issues with Dale Monteith's report finding that the track should have as few as 20 meetings per year, and no more than 35 a year, for each of the first three years it is back racing.

Under a current media rights deal, the Brisbane Racing Club is committed to having many more race meetings at Eagle Farm each year than recommended by the track report.

But Sky insists it wants to support the Queensland industry to do everything it can to get the track back to its best for the long-term.

And if that means less meetings at Eagle Farm while the track gets back on its feet … so be it.

"As Racing Queensland and BRC's key media partner, Sky is keen to support the rehabilitation of Eagle Farm and will work co-operatively with the Queensland racing industry in that regard," a Sky Racing spokesman said.

Eagle Farm will be closed until April at the earliest with Monteith's report resolving to remove the existing kikuyu turf and thatch layer before stripping back 50-100mm of existing sand and replacing it with "a more angular type of sand.''

Advertisment
More Reading...
Yarraman Park Celebrate Historic Achievement - I Am Invincible Sets New Record
One of Australia's premier thoroughbred studs, Yarraman Park proudly acknowledges a momentous milestone in the world of horse racing and breeding in Australia.
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 4
Here is the full list of 112 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
War Decree Fee Rise
Inglewood Stud’s young stallion War Decree will stand at a slightly increased fee of $7,000 +GST in 2024, up from $5,500 in 2023.
Western Empire Turns Back the Clock
The winner of the 2021 Group 1 WATC Railway Stakes and Group II Western Australian Derby, the 6-year-old Iffraaj (GB) gelding Western Empire turned back the clock to win Sunday’s $200,000 Group III Tabtouch Northam Stakes (1300m).
Spring Goals for Renovations
Juvenile filly Renovations has already achieved a lot in a short space of time and trainer Cody Cole is excited to see what she can do as a three-year-old.
Pedigree Watch – UK 3YO- New SWs Too Darn Hot, Sea the Stars
Three year-old racing is taking off in Europe as the warmer weather returns and while the A graders will take their place in Guineas races this weekend there are plenty of others quietly on the rise and we saw a few in action at Newmarket overnight.
Widden Stud Appoints New Management Team
In an exciting, but also somewhat emotional development for Widden Stud, a staffing restructure will be taking place, marking a new chapter in the esteemed history of the Valley of Champions.
Platinum Thoroughbreds Announce 2024 Fees
Platinum Thoroughbreds is pleased to announce its 2024 roster - three well credentialled stallions from three prolific sire lines... and great value too!
Sires With Winners - Sunday May 5
Here is the full list of 56 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Fastnet Rock Mare Stay Alert Wins G2 Dahlia Stakes
The form of outstanding Fastnet Rock mare Via Sistina (IRE) was once again franked overnight in the UK when the Fastnet Rock mare she defeated to win the Group I Pretty Polly Stakes last year came out and won the Group II Dahlia Stakes Stakes (1m1f) at her first run this season.