North Wales, UK – All eyes of harness racing in Great Britain and Ireland will be focused Tuesday evening at Tir Prince Raceway for the tenth anniversary running of the Breeders Crown UK & Ireland.
While most tenth anniversary celebrations are in tin, it will be crystal that horsemen and women will be racing their two, three and four-year-old pacers and trotters for over the Tir Prince half mile hard track oval.
Featured will be the Breeders Crown UK & Ireland finals for pacers in the above mentioned age groups. New this year for the BC format is the inaugural USA-bred two-year-old filly pace and the Ephie Mather Memorial Trot for LeTrot Series performers.
All of the BC races and overnight events Tuesday will be raced at one mile. First race post time is 6:00 pm
In addition to the harness racing there will be live music, plenty of food and beverages available and children under age 16 are admitted free. The Tir Prince Fairground is just across the way from the track for pre-race fun, and, of course, there will be plenty of bookies on site to take wagers.
"I am looking forward to what promises to be one of the most entertaining Breeders Crown we have ever staged." Said David Wilson, president of the Breeders Crown UK & Ireland. "It will also be grand having world driving champion Dexter Dunn from New Zealand driving Breeders Crown night. There will be great racing and entertainment for everyone."
Dunn is making his first ever appearance driving in the UK and has been in demand by owners and trainers to drive their horses. He is listed to compete in every Breeders Crown event except the USA-bred two-year-old filly pace.
"It's hard to believe it has been ten years since we held our first Breeders Crown race day," said Wilson. "It's so great to see how the program has grown and the interest by horsemen to improve the breed here in the UK and in Ireland."
The big focus Tuesday evening will be on the Breeders Crown final for three-year-old pacing colts as Miraculous takes the track for driver Patrick Kane, Jr.
The son of Arts Conquest has been unstoppable as of late. In his last two starts at Portmarnock Raceway in Dublin, Ireland, Miraculous set the track record twice for three-year-olds, the fastest of his two miles was a lifetime record of 1:55.90.
By Steven Wolf, for the Breeders Crown UK & Ireland