IN THE END it was Seymour Eric, the 4-1 second favourite who won the last race on Hereford’s final day of racing.
It was Alain Cawley’s second winner of the day, having brought Ukrainian Star home ahead of the pack in the 3.10 just 30 minutes earlier to complete a quick-fire double for trainer Martin Keighley.
A crowd of 2,600 gathered for Hereford’s wake but, in a fitting eulogy, just 1,100 of them were paying customers.
The general manager of the course Darren Cook told Sporting Life he was “disappointed” with the attendance as they had promoted this final meeting heavily.
Arena Racing Company (ARC), owners of Hereford racecourse, say the venue is no longer financially viable. Disputes with the local council – with whom the lease on the land is held – haven’t helped. There are 17 years remaining on that lease and, unless a new party emerges to take control, it’s likely to remain unused in that time.
It is the first racecourse to close in Britain since Stockton in 1981, but will quickly be followed by Folkstone – another ARC track – on Tuesday.
But, as the curtain came down on over two centuries of racing, a sliver of hope emerged.
Assistant racing director Jim Allen told Sky Sports:
“In 2014, I could see Hereford in action. We’ll be maintaining it, it will stay as it is and there is still every opportunity that some fixtures will return here.”
For now though, Hereford falls silent.
How many more racecourses will follow suit?
