THE very successful Racecourse Groundsman Education Day day took place last week for Irish racecourse groundsmen at the Curragh racecourse. A massive attendance with over 40 delegates from tracks around the country turned out for a superb day.

A jam-packed schedule with everything from the latest machinery, climate change and weather patterns, to the latest technology in track maintenance from an agronomy perspective was covered along with a tour of the new Curragh facilities.

Presentations shared by experts included cold processed liquid seaweed applications, wetting agents for racecourse and sustainable use of pesticide regulation climate change. All current clerks of the course from the IHRB were in attendance for the afternoon sessions and openly thanked the group of dedicated groundsmen that keep our courses in superb condition.

It was an acknowledgment that the work that goes on behind the scenes does not go unnoticed.

Future challenges

MC for the day Vincent Eviers, Chairman of the Racecourse Groundsman committee welcomed everybody and kept everything moving throughout the day.

Eviers commented: “Education days like this are vital if we are to meet the current and future challenges our industry faces. Climate change, regulation and resource constraints are big challenges for everybody in Irish horse racing.

“Groundsmen see the impact of these challenges every day and we need support from everybody involved. Coming together, listening to industry experts and sharing issues we all face on our own tracks is very important and we hope to deliver more days like this in the very near future.

“On behalf of everybody here today I’d like to thank Paul Murtagh (IHRB) and Colin Kehoe (HRI) for their help and co-operation in making today possible and all the speakers and presenters who shared their time and expertise with us.”

National conference

Vincent and his committee in conjunction with the Association of Turfgrass Professionals Ireland are already hard at work planning their next big event which will be the Sportsturf Ireland National Conference in Galway on the January 11/12.

This two-day event will see world- renowned speakers and industry leaders come together for what promises to be a must-attend event for everybody in Irish horse racing. Mark the dates and be sure to attend is the advice from Vincent.