Curragh to build marquee for Guineas day after criticism of crowded owners' bar

A marquee with a dedicated section for owners and trainers will be erected on the Curragh’s newly unveiled €80 million redevelopment for Irish Guineas weekend as management moves to address criticism in the wake of Monday’s fixture.

Following the first meeting at the completed facility, trainer Sarah Lynam, agent Bobby O’Ryan and assistant trainer Kate Harrington were among those to express their disappointment that the owners and trainers’ bar was too small to facilitate the numbers on site.

Derek McGrath, the Curragh’s chief executive, insists they are working to address that and other issues that arose on a day when the attendance was given as 3,650.

However, he rejected the suggestion that having to build a temporary structure to cater for the needs of owners reflects poorly on the planning of the project.

Derek McGrath, chief executive of the Curragh racecourse, has responded to criticisms of the newly unveiled redevelopmentCredit: Patrick McCann

“Were there teething problems? Yes, but we welcome feedback and we are going through it all,” he said.

"We had three very big-field handicaps at the end of the card, so at a particular time the owners’ lounge came under pressure. We will be erecting a marquee for Guineas weekend and in that we will have a dedicated area for owners and trainers, which will supplement the owners’ lounge and more than double the space available to them.”

Long queues for coffee and an absence of confectionery were other issues raised by those in attendance on Monday. McGrath accepted they were valid criticisms and said they would addressed for the three-day Guineas festival, which gets underway on Friday, May 24.

A heavy security presence was also noted by some as feeling intimidating. “The presence of high-vis jackets and therefore a sense of security is something we’ll take on board,” McGrath said.

“It wasn’t so much for a security presence as welcoming staff. They had the high-vis jackets so that they could orient themselves and help others do the same.”

Some long-standing Curragh season ticket holders have also expressed anger that the basic €265 annual package no longer allows them access to a dedicated bar, as is the case at other Irish racecourses.

The new-look Curragh opened its gates to the public for the first time on MondayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The annual membership option that would allow access to a lounge at the Curragh now costs €950, with a further €300 charge to reserve a seat. Membership for the upstairs lounge costs €2,500.

“They don’t have a dedicated room or facility,” McGrath accepted of the basic members’ package, “but it works out at a very good rate and it includes a racecard.”

The admission fee on the Saturday and Sunday of Guineas weekend is €25, up from €20 last year, with an early bird price of €18. For the Irish Derby and Irish Champions Weekend, the charge is €40, up from €35.

“We have put our prices up very slightly,” McGrath said. “But advance online sales are very attractive. It makes it better for everybody because we know you are coming and it's easier to get through the turnstiles.”

He added: “We are opening up on Saturday, May 18 to allow the public to look at the venue. We'll be very happy to talk to anybody about what we are doing well or not so well. The thing we need to get right is to ensure that people feel welcome and comfortable. There is a period of consultation and we could not be accused of not talking to people.”

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