Curragh chief Kavanagh stresses fun factor over crowd numbers on Guineas weekend

Curragh chief executive Brian Kavanagh has said he is more focused on people enjoying themselves than numbers through the turnstiles as the course prepares to welcome back racegoers to the Tattersalls Ireland Guineas festival for the first time since 2019 this weekend.

The opening year of the new €81 million facility in Kildare was beset with difficulties – including a screeching roof on the grandstand – but Kavanagh says the issues have been resolved, and the feedback received after the track's three race days so far this year has been positive.

Kavanagh, who began in his new role in the autumn, said: “I’m not focused on a number, I’m more focused about people coming to enjoy themselves and having a good day and getting back to a good atmosphere at the races.

"We’ve had that at our first three meetings so I’m of the view that, if the racing is good and the facilities are good, the crowd will follow. We can’t wait. This is the first Group 1 weekend coming up, and it looks like the racing will be very strong.”

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Kavanagh said a solution to the screeching roof was found before the departure of his predecessor. “That is gone. In fairness to Pat Keogh and his team, that was resolved. When the racecourse was closed to the public, they put an acoustic matting under the roof and that has cut out the noise.”

Although the venue is estimated to be able to cater for up to 30,000 people, the newly developed grandstand is designed for a crowd of between 12,000-14,000, as are the facilities. There is scope to expand with marquees on bigger racedays to cater for a larger crowd.

Kavanagh added: "People are getting used to the facilities now. People are discovering the new Curragh and finding their way around it."

Irish 2,000 Guineas (3.20 Curragh, Saturday)

Paddy Power: 2-5 Native Trail, 3 Buckaroo, 8 Ivy League, 20 Wexford Native, 25 Malex, Duke De Sessa, The Acropolis, 40 Atomic Jones, New Energy, 50 Imperial Fighter, Boundless Ocean

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