Well done Curragh

Sir,

As a reader of The Irish Field, and an avid horse racing enthusiast, I would like to ask a favour.

I live on the Curragh and drive by the racecourse and training grounds every day. I feel not enough praise, if any, is given to the staff who look after the racetrack and the training facilities.

They do a magnificent job year in, year out, to keep what is a world-class racing venue in amazing condition.

During Covid-19 this has not stopped, and I have never seen the grounds looking as fabulous as they do now. I am sure we are all delighted racing is to resume in June, even though it is behind closed doors for everyone concerned to enable all to stay well at this time.

Please can you extend to the ground staff at the Curragh a massive thank you for all the hard work they put in. They are unsung heroes of this sport.

Yours etc.,

SUE MAGUIRE

Ballysax,

Co Kildare

Owners should be allowed attend races

Sir,

Congratulations to everyone concerned in getting Irish racing back on track on June 8th, albeit two weeks later than anticipated.

Horse Racing Ireland then published a comprehensive 77-page document outlining the protocol and standards expected from the attendants. I had to go to page seven to find the bullet point that said ‘No owners are permitted to attend race meetings’. At no other stage in the document are owners mentioned.

The fundamental reason why owners have racehorses is to see them run. Surely we are entitled to that basic right, and to be fobbed off with this one-liner, with no further details or explanation, is an insult. There is no need for me to go on about who keeps the show on the road.

If four owners, as per our swipe cards, were allowed to attend, the maximum amount of extra people in attendance would 576. That is four owners per horse, multiplied by 18 runners, multiplied by eight races. Surely a track that can hold up to 20,000 people can do social distancing for that number.

To add insult to injury, the prize money is now going to be reduced. Again in their document, no mention of the owners and the effect this will have. No explanation as to why this has come about. If it is about the revenue lost from having no spectators or sponsors then that is the business of the racecourses, and nothing to do with the owners who always seem to be punished for everybody else’s sins.

It’s about time to stop treating us like mushrooms.

Yours etc.,

TOM EGAN

Horse & Jockey,

Co Tipperary,