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The transformative two-year building project, completing an overhaul of the headquarters of Irish racing, will be unveiled to the public on May 6th when the newly–developed Curragh racecourse will host its first full race meeting.
The original programme scheduled for the Curragh on Saturday, April 13th will transfer it in its entirety to Naas on that day, and ticket sales for the Curragh will be honoured, or refunds can be sought through the Curragh.
The decision to delay the opening of the new racecourse by three weeks was taken at a Horse Racing Ireland Board meeting on Monday last.
Brian Kavanagh, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said:
“While the redevelopment is progressing well, the HRI Board has decided to de-risk the situation and give certainty to the industry and public by delaying the public opening of the new Curragh facility until it is completely finished and fully tested. Instead a trial raceday will take place during the week commencing Monday, April 15th which together 
with the extra time, will allow all operational elements of the racecourse to be fully tested.”
The new Curragh facility will be fully opened on Bank Holiday Monday, May 6th when racegoers will be able to see for the first time the redeveloped venue which has delivered a spectacular new grandstand and enclosure and a fitting location for Ireland’s Classics.
The official opening of the Curragh will then take place on Friday evening May 24th, the beginning of the newly-formed three-day Curragh Spring festival which will also feature the Tattersalls Irish 1000 and 2000 Guineas on May 25th and May 26th.
Derek McGrath CEO Curragh Racecourse Ltd said:
“We will continue to finish the redevelopment over the next few weeks; the re-categorisation of the April 13th fixture to an internal testing day will provide more time and space to prepare for the rest of what promises to be a very exciting and historic season at the Curragh. We are of course grateful to Naas Racecourse who have been supporting us throughout the redevelopment and our grateful thanks extends to the racecourse and their Directors.”
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