The NI Festival of Racing is being staged at Down Royal Racecourse on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 November 2009. The two-day race meeting will attract thousands to the Racecourse including visitors, top jockeys, trainers and horses from GB, NI and ROI.

As part of the lead up to the NI Festival of Racing the Chairperson of the Councils Economic Development Committee, Councillor Jenny Palmer, Vice Chair, Alderman Jim Dillon and Alderman Ivan Davis were all taken on a tour of the new developments by Down Royal Racecourse Manager, Mike Todd. Included in the new developments are state of the art corporate hospitality suites, function rooms and a new entrance.

Councillor Jenny Palmer, Chairperson of the Economic Development Committee, said of the event "I wish the Down Royal Racecourse the best of luck for the NI Festival of Racing next weekend and continued best wishes for the years ahead. The staff and management at Down Royal Racecourse continue to develop the facilities at Down Royal on the back of huge support from visitors, sponsors and race goers.'

Further recognition of the hard work of staff and management of Down Royal Racecourse will be recognised by a civic reception hosted by Councillor Palmer at Lagan Valley Island next Monday.

For more information on the NI Festival of Racing, please visit

http://www.downroyal.com