DRIZZLE was forecast and that’s what we got, pretty much all day. It stayed damp and dull for most of Irish Derby afternoon but racegoers seemed intent on enjoying themselves regardless.

Very few gents bothered to bring coats and the ladies, having made such an effort to dress up, were keen on showing up their get-ups.

There seemed to be ample shelter for those that wanted cover. In fact, that was the most striking aspect of the entire experience – there was plenty of space wherever you went. Bars, toilets, the betting hall marquee. No queues.

We had expected to find it impossible to get standing room in the temporary stand for the big race but not only was there room for more, there were dozens of free seats left vacant at racetime.

Perhaps those at the races are not reflective of wider opinion but it was hard to find angry voices on Saturday.

Earlier in the day we visited the ‘Grand Hall’, a giant marquee which replaces the old Tote betting hall in the grandstand. Located just inside the main entrance, it’s further away from the ‘live’ action than before but it’s still the busiest place on the track.

Among the hundreds drinking, chatting and punting on UK racing were five chaps from Cheltenham on a stag-do. Surely they are disappointed with their day out? “We’re having a great time,” says the ringleader. “It was only €35 for a ticket and that included the bus from Dublin.”

Another stag party of 14, all wearing colourful novelty suits, have come from Macclesfield. How did they get tickets? “We each gave £200 to the groom ages ago and that included everything, even Copper Face Jack’s last night.”

An older party sitting quietly in another corner of the tent look a lot more sober but also refuse to complain. “We’re all annual members here,” explains Delia from Kinnegad. “It only costs €100 for pensioners, you get 18 days’ racing and it includes admission to Leopardstown for Champions Weekend.”

Her friend, Rena, from Ovens in Co Cork says the parking arrangements were chaotic at the first Curragh meeting but has been sorted out. Her husband Dermot looks up from his racecard to nod in agreement, while Elise from Newbridge, also part of the gang, just seems happy to take in the atmosphere.

The betting ring is quiet for the early races and Francis Hyland is not surprised. “That’s the way it is everywhere now – less of a betting crowd, more of a social crowd. But I do think the crowds will come back when the facilities are here.”

No queues at the Tote either (turnover has been frighteningly low for some Curragh races this year) and we’ve just missed an angry punter. A clerk tells us: “He said he’s been at better organised point-to-points and he was going straight home again.”

In search of real punters, we approach a group of middle-aged men counting out banknotes on a table full of drink in a smaller-tented area near the winning post. “We’re 12 postmen from Carrick-on-Suir and we come to the Derby every year,” says Tommy Grace, before correcting himself. “Actually we’re down to 11 this year as our colleague Tony Fitzpatrick died last July. We’re all after backing Tony The Gent in his memory.”

The horse won at 6/1, hence the table is loaded with cash. Tommy laughs, “It’s the biggest coup we’ve had since the 1980s when a telephone exchange worker used to listen in to a local trainer’s calls and give us tips!”

We head out to the ticket collection desk, hoping maybe to see a bit of a riot as racegoers demand access. Declan in the booth shakes his head. “There were a few people turned away but no scenes. We have no spare tickets to sell although I did see a German couple trying to sell ones they didn’t need.”

An announcement comes over the PA: “Racegoers are reminded that pickpockets are circulating in the enclosure.” Even they got tickets!

In the weighroom, Hugh Hynes, Lynn Hillyer and Paul Murtagh from the Turf Club report all is going smoothly. “Everything has been perfect for us since day one,” says Paul, head of raceday operations. “The real inconvenience has been for the racegoers.”

The sun bursts through the clouds to greet Railway Stakes winner Beckford. It’s a popular result in the stand and around the parade ring – the day comes alive and there’s a bit of a buzz. The clouds are kept away until after the big race when the mist returns.

It was a very different Irish Derby day. Definitely more subdued as many who could have attended opted to stay away. The maximum capacity of 6,000 people on-site was not reached as hundreds of AIR cardholders, such as trainers and racing industry employees, who were entitled to attend decided to stay at home. The official attendance was put at 5,400.

The overflow media tent in the infield, normally littered with visiting press, was virtually empty.

Was it the right decision to keep the Derby here? The view seems to be it was right for the industry but wrong for the public. It remains to be seen if the public is prepared to forgive and forget when the new Curragh opens for business in 2019.