LIGHT rain forecast to fall on the Curragh this afternoon will not only affect the going for the Irish Derby but it will also place a premium on shelter for the 6,000 people on-site.
A temporary viewing stand and marquees have replaced more solid structures at the Curragh this season while major redevelopment work continues.
A total of 18,000 people attended the Derby last year but only a third of that figure will be allowed in today due to planning permission restrictions. Should rain arrive, there is cover for approximately two-thirds of those present.
Tickets for Derby day sold our weeks ago and the track’s CEO Derek McGrath advises racegoers not to turn up without a ticket.
“We’ve been working hard to get ready in what is a new situation for the Curragh,” McGrath said. “We have made some adjustments to our facilities since our earlier meetings this year.
“There is a bit more cover in the viewing stand and more services at that end too. We have also implemented a new car-parking management system to ensure that the problems experienced by some racegoers recently will not be repeated.”
Asked how racecourse staff will deal with racegoers or industry personnel who arrive ticketless today, McGrath said: “Through the media we have got the message out that there are no tickets remaining. This is not a restriction we invented. Hopefully most people understand that but there is always a possibility that some people will arrive without tickets and we will deal with that as respectfully as we can.”
The controversy over whether the Derby should have remained at the Curragh through the redevelopment period continued this week when a Turf Club press release from 2008 was circulated on social media. The statement quoted Turf Club chief executive Denis Egan as saying the Turf Club was not in favour of continuing racing at the Curragh during the construction process, though this was in relation to a different building plan that the one finally approved by the authorities.
“We now believe that, having consulted with our health and safety advisers, it would not be wise to race during the construction,” Egan said at that time. He added that by not racing it would enable the project to be completed more efficiently, more cost effectively and in the shortest possible time.
SOLID FIELD
The big race itself has attracted a solid field of nine, headed by the Epsom winner and third, Wings Of Eagles and Cracksman, plus top French colt Waldgeist.
Cracksman’s regular rider Frankie Dettori remains on the sidelines through injury and so the mount on John Gosden’s Frankel colt has gone to Pat Smullen, who has previously won the race aboard Grey Swallow in 2004 and Harzand 12 months ago.
The horse’s owner, Anthony Oppenheimer, said: “I think it’s a very good choice and I’m very happy to have him. It’s such a pity for Frankie. He’s had to miss Royal Ascot and now this, but you can’t take any chances. I think he’s being sensible.
“I went to see the horse in Newmarket on Monday and he looked fine. John Gosden’s horses ran very well at Ascot last week and one would assume he’ll run very well. He has a big stride this horse, a bit like Frankel, and I think a track like the Curragh will suit him better than Epsom.”
SATURDAY TIMETABLE
11.30 – Gates open
11.30-12.40 – Army Band perform on garden plaza stage
12.40-1.15 – Winning Line panel of Pat Brennan, Dave Keena, Rob Timoney, Tommy Callaghan and Tom Nugent with MC Thom Malone on garden stage
1.15 – Brendan McArdle previews Most Stylish Lady competition with judges Chanelle McCoy, Melanie Morris, Bairbre Power and joined by Breeda McLoughlin (garden stage)
1.35-2.30 – Army Band (garden plaza stage)
2.00 – Racing starts
3.45 – Most Stylish Lady winner announced
4.50 – UAE and Irish national anthems.
5.00 – Irish Derby trophy brought to parade ring
5.20 – Irish Derby
5.30 – Presentation of trophies at winning post