Blow for Leopardstown as reduced crowd cap inevitable after restrictions tighten

Leopardstown's hopes of hosting 10,000 spectators at each day of its Christmas festival appear to have been significantly dented by fresh Covid-19 restrictions in Ireland.

The Racing Post understands that a figure of between 4,000 and 6,000 is seemingly more likely due to the changes in regulations involving seated indoor hospitality. Under the new protocols, indoor facilities can operate through table service only, with a metre between each table of no more than six people.

Having announced last week that the Dublin venue would cap its crowd at 10,000 per day in order to facilitate the need for Covid protocols, Leopardstown chief executive Tim Husbands conceded on Monday that reduced crowds are now inevitable.

He said: "Given the government announcements on Friday, it is inconceivable that we could put enough facilities out there in terms of table service for 10,000 people.

Irish Champions Weekend: 4,000 people attended each day of the valuable meeting in SeptemberCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"We just have to be consciously aware of all the various requirements for Covid protocols, while also trying to balance the need to have an enjoyable and safe experience."

He added: "We will be reviewing all of our capacities over the next few days to see just where we are, but it looks like we will be coming down from 10,000."

The four-day festival attracted 57,035 racegoers in 2019 when unrestricted numbers were last permitted. The track saw 4,000 pass through its gates on day one of Longines Irish Champions Weekend in September, a similar-sized crowd to what can be expected over Christmas.

Officials at Limerick are set to discuss the implications of the government's latest restrictions this week and are yet to determine the exact impact on crowd capacity. There were 40,941 in attendance across the four days at Greenmount Park in 2019.

Outgoing manager Patrick O'Callaghan said: "We are currently assessing the impact of Friday's government announcement. Hopefully we will have more clarity on the situation over the coming days."

Ireland's department of health announced a further 2,950 Covid-19 cases on Monday, with 536 patients in hospital, 110 of whom are in intensive care, while 91 per cent of the population aged 12 or over are now fully vaccinated.

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