JUST weeks before work begins on the €65 million redevelopment of the Curragh Racecourse, the track's director of racing Paul Hensey has annouced he is moving on.

Hensey was an assistant trainer and stewards' secretary before he was appointed general manager of the Curragh Racecourse and Training Grounds in 2002. Earlier this year, when Derek McGrath was installed as chief executive of the new Curragh Racecourse, Hensey's title was amended to director of racing.

Hensey said: "I have been considering my future for some time and I believe the time is now right for me to seek new challenges. I have really enjoyed my time at the Curragh and I hope that my work has helped to lay the foundations for the major changes now underway. I have no doubt that the redeveloped Curragh will give Irish racing a fitting venue to showcase this great sport of ours.

“I would like to wish all at the Curragh well as they enter this new phase and to thank everybody associated with the racecourse for their support and friendship over the past 15 years.”

Curragh chairman Padraig McManus said: "Paul has been an exceptional leader at the Curragh and has established a reputation in the industry that is truly worldwide. He will be a great loss to the Curragh at this stage in our redevelopment programme. We wish him every success in the future."