Course opening capacity boosted

- Friday, August 21, 2009

Get your bets on now — the crowd capacity has been raised by 50 per cent for the official opening of the new Ffos Las Racecourse.

A crowd of more than 12,000 is expected for the official grand opening next Friday, August 28.

For the first two sell-out fixtures, the capacity was set at 10,000.

The limit has now been raised to 15,000 following an agreement between the racecourse and the local authority and emergency services.

The opening ceremony of the first new turf racecourse to be opened in Britain for more than 70 years will be conducted by TV's former voice of racing, Sir Peter O'Sullevan.

The afternoon includes the richest race to be staged at Ffos Las to date — the £50,000 freebets.co.uk Handicap Chase, run over an extended three miles and one furlong.

In all, there is more than £100,000 in prize-available for the seven races, which are scheduled to begin at 2.10pm. The finale is at 5.25pm, and Welsh singer Cerys Matthews will perform afterwards.

Ffos Las Racecourse's general manager Jon Williams said: "Our official opening promises to be another great occasion, with Sir Peter O'Sullevan carrying out the opening ceremony and Cerys Matthews entertaining the crowds when the horse races have been run. The sales have exceeded our expectations. We sold out on the first fixture with 10,000 people.

"We were glad we only had 10,000, because it helped us manage it. But after that we thought we had the spare room, so we can expand.

"But it is important for people to know that they can still buy tickets on the day."

Tickets for Ffos Las's remaining fixtures between August and December can be bought online at www.ffoslasracecourse.com or by calling 01554 811092.

Story Credit - www.thisissouthwales.co.uk