RTC races begins with ‘Sports Tourism Day 2024’

The Royal Turf Club, Nuwara Eliya has embarked on an ambitious programme to uphold the tradition of horse racing in Nuwara Eliya.  Since the inception of horse racing in Sri Lanka, The Royal Turf Club, Nuwara Eliya has been a flag bearer of the sport. This year the RTC began its first race recently

Royal Turf Club (RTC) Nuwara Eliya held its first race for the year 2024 recently under the title ‘RTC Sports Tourism Race Day’. This event was a part of an elaborated programme to uphold the tradition of horse racing in Nuwara Eliya in partnership with the Sri Lanka Tourism to promote Sports Tourism in Sri Lanka, Royal Turf Club, Nuwara Eliya has been a flag bearer of the sport.

On the first day of the seasonal race, a card of four races were lined up with ‘RTC Sports Tourism Trophy’ being the main event. The main race of the day was the ‘RTC Sports Tourism Day Race’ followed by the three other races, where the ‘Stables and Hill Rise Trophy’, ‘The Sunday Times Trophy’ and ‘The Yes 101 Trophy’ were awarded to the winners of the respective races.

The first race of the day was ‘Yes 101 Challenge Trophy’. This race tailored for horses rated 00 to 20 and as usual Krabi owned by Mrs. Dagmar Woehrl led the field despite the interference, ran on to finish a good second.

The second race for the ‘Hill Rise and Villa and Stables Trophy’ was reduced to four horse field with Muirfield and Godsword being withdrawn. The race was won by Queens Hall in a start to finish affair with jockey P. Vikram thus completing a good double for the day for the owners Hasanga and Paba Jayaratne.

‘The Sunday Times Super Challenge Trophy’ was won by ‘Crack of Dawn’ owned by Mr. and Mrs. Edwards. ‘Crack of Dawn’ trained by champion trainer of 2023 season S.D. Mahesh secured victory in the 1400 metres race tailored for 40 to 60 with jockey Kaviraj.

The chief guest Chalaka Gajabahu, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, former Mayor of Nuwara Eliya Mahinda Dodampegamage and R. Manjunath, Chief Stipendiary Steward/ Senior Handicapper graced the occasion.