THE redevelopments taking place at the Curragh and ParisLongchamp, as it will be known, featured prominently at the conference. Horse Racing Ireland’s Brian Kavanagh and the Curragh CEO Derek McGrath made the presentation on behalf of the Irish racecourse, with Kavanagh also providing delegates with a synopsis of the findings of the recent Deloitte report.

The huge significance of both flagship racecourses is that one-third of all Group 1 races staged in Europe are run at the Curragh and ParisLongchamp. The Co Kildare venue plays host to all but two of Ireland’s dozen Group 1 races, and 60% of all pattern races run in the country. In addition, 45 trainers operate from the Curragh.

With the last major development having taken place 55 years ago, and no real development occurring in the last two decades, Kavanagh went on to say that the aborted development in 2007 must now be considered fortunate as the plans were too extravagant. The €72 million redevelopment will feature an iconic new stand, and Kavanagh acknowledged the six founding investors who each contributed €5 million to the project.

Kavanagh accepted that the decision to continue to race at the Curragh, which can cater for up to 30 runners on the straight course, was “somewhat controversial”, before adding that it “reflected the importance of the racecourse”. He said he believed the views about whether to race on were evenly balanced in favour of doing so and moving elsewhere.

NEW FACILITIES

Derek McGrath confirmed that the new facilities will open in the spring of 2019 and that the construction phase will be completed in mid-October 2018. He detailed the planning that went into getting the development up and running, highlighting the fact that contractors were chosen on the basis of their past experience with projects that required paying huge attention to the surrounding areas. “The track has been untouched – it is so precious”, he told the gathering.

McGrath paid tribute to trainer Dermot Weld for his forbearance and assistance with the project, and he also iterated the importance of satisfying customer needs. “We must build for the future and do so by listening and learning, and know what is important for people.” Kavanagh acknowledged that the Curragh had become somewhat disconnected from some of its core supporters and must build that relationship again.

“Racegoers expect more,” said Kavanagh. “They need more racing, more of an experience, more involvement to excite and entice them to the Curragh.”