Some interesting briefs from The Irish Field a decade ago.

The Turf Club Senior Steward Pierce Molony announces that the Curragh racecourse had received planning permission to realign the road that ran at the back of the grandstand and to build a 72-bedroom hotel. The road improvement was completed but other plans were subsequently shelved.

Adrian Nicoll reveals that BBA Ireland, of which he is chairman, is set to purchase the Curragh Bloodstock Agency. The move has the backing of Harry McCalmont who says “this deal should ensure a strong Irish bloodstock agency long into the future and it has my full backing.”

Guy Williams recalls the first Sligo race meeting held on August 24th, 1955. It was a Wednesday afternoon and more than 7,000 people gathered to enjoy what the Sligo Champion described as “some excellent racing on a track which is undoubtedly one of the most beautifully situated in the provinces.”

Powerscourt gains compensation for his disqualification the year before when coming home clear in the Arlington Million under Kieran Fallon. Since going to stud his progeny include the 2015 Grade 1 winner Finnegans Wake and the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Termagant.

Pat Shanahan wins the Leopardstown Gold Centre Handicap on The Carbon Unit, shouldering 9st 6lb, to complete a double for Con Collins. The Curragh trainer had earlier saddled Chelsea Rose, also ridden by Shanahan, to win the Listed Ballyroan Stakes, beating Shalapour and Vinnie Roe. All the winners by The Carbon Unit in Ireland or England to date have been trained by Pat Shanahan.

Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds was on hand at Bellewstown to lead in Sorry Al who won in the colours of the T & C Syndicate. The son of Anshan was trained by Charlie Swan and partnered by Ruby Walsh.