No horseracing planned for Ebreichsdorf in 2015

For business reasons, there will be no more trotting and flat race meetings in 2015. The modern stabling and the exclusive riding facilities, on which 16 national and international tournaments will be held in 2015 at up to 4* Category, will continue to be operated as in the past. In addition, events events such as the Autorevue Speed Party and an International Agility Tournament are again in the programme for 2015, see www.magnaracino.at. As in every enterprise, we too must be true to our responsibilities. Since unfortunately holding race meetings was no longer sustainable, we are forced with regret, in agreement with the owner, to take this step, the management of MAGNA RACINO explains.

(Translated from the Magna Racino website)

Austria: Ebreichsdorf has finished – will Freudenau come back to life?

Racing at Ebreichsdorf in Austria is a thing of the past. The Austrian operator of Magna Racino will not announce any race meetings for next year, and this modern racecourse will in all probability be given over to equestrian sport, and its original horseracing functions will come to an end. This has been signalled by an announcement published by the Austrians at the end of November 2014. For racing in central Europe, this step poses a big problem, while for struggling horseracing in Austria it will be a catastrophe…

Frank Stronach, a businessman of Austrian origin, has poured money into racing in Austria and into the whole Ebreichsdorf project. He has not projected himself into the political scene in Austria as intended, and that may be the basis for a re-evaluation of his approach to supporting horseracing there. Stronach’s companies are a major player in horseracing operations in north America, where they have enjoyed much greater success. 

Marián Šurda, director of Bratislava racecourse, who has been the motor for collaboration among the horseracing authorities in the central European region, comments on the present situation in Austria as follows: I am very sad about this situation. The operations at Ebreichsdorf have been moving towards equestrian sport in recent years, and this would be a further step. However, we have to be optimistic and believe that Austria is not going to remain without horse racing … 

In this context, Šurda also mentions the historic Freudenau racecourse in Vienna, where racing has a traditional base, but meetings ceased to be held there after Ebreichsdorf came into operation. It is mainly a matter of investment whether one of the most beautiful racecourses in central Europe will put on races again.

As for the Magna Racino facilities in Ebreichsdorf, they will be the venue in 2015 for 16 national and international equestrian competitions, and fans of motor sport and of competitions for dogs will also meet there.

(Translated from the Czech language pages of Dostihový svět)