THE official opening was held yesterday of the Jersey Race Club’s new racecourse buildings and viewing bank at Les Landes.

The Lieutenant-Governor, Lieutenant-General Andrew Ridgway, unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion in front of an audience of about 100 club members. The opening marked the conclusion of a two-year construction project that was partly funded by a grant from the Tourism Development Fund.

The new building and grassed-over viewing bank incorporates a variety of facilities for a modern racecourse. They include a weighing room, a jockeys’ changing room, first aid room and medical facilities, an office for the clerk of the course, on-course betting through the Tote, and public toilets.

The official opening was followed by a race meeting at which five different trainers and jockeys won the five races. The feature race, the Champion Hurdle, was won by the Ephgrave family’s Anemix (second from right).

 • Picture by Robert Mitchell