Association of Irish Racecourses Requests Clarity On Attendances

Wednesday, 11 August 2021 14:15

It represents the twenty-six courses in Ireland including Kilbeggan.

The Association of Irish Racecourses is requesting a meeting with Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board to discuss the continued imposition of attendance limits at Irish courses.

A statement from AIR reads:

The Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR) diligently represents its members, those who own or operate all twenty-six racecourses nationwide. There is a growing frustration within the association and the wider racing industry concerning capped attendance figures for spectators at racecourses and the lack of clarity in relation to when racegoers in greater numbers can attend.

Close consultation with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) has been ongoing both at individual racecourse level and through active representation by the association executive as the current spectator limit requires immediate review.

A formal meeting with Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board has been requested by the association and communications to members has been increased via racecourse managers meetings and email updates.

Speaking of the feeling on the ground amongst members Paddy Walsh, CEO of AIR commented

“Our members have done everything that has been asked of them since the white flag was raised and we resumed racing behind closed doors. Racecourses have turned their facilities inside out to ensure that protocols and guidelines have been meticulously adhered to at our tracks nationwide.

The fact that racing has continued without incident with capped attendances nationwide and at trial events with 1,000 spectators at meetings which took place at festivals like The Curragh and Galway Races, furthers our resolve to welcome more racing fans back to our facilities soonest. Racecourses are fundamentally unique sporting venues with copious outdoor viewing areas to ensure the safety of our patrons.

Our personnel are highly skilled professionals who are familiar with and more than capable of catering for spectators greater than the current limits imposed and each racecourse has independent regulatory and compliance officers on-site to ensure consistency nationwide.

There has been sizable investment in outdoor facilities and Covid-19 protocol and guideline implementation at all racecourses we represent to facilitate greater attendances and we are requesting an urgent review of the current capacity restrictions which are unsustainable for many.”