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Brian Kavanagh: 'It was tense and stressful - there had been bitterness'

Alan Sweetman talks to the outgoing chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland

Brian Kavanagh paid tribute to Cahir O'Sullivan: 'Sad news today with the passing of Cahir O’Sullivan - an inspiration to so many people in Irish racing.'
Brian Kavanagh: has left his post as HRI chief executive following a 20-year stintCredit: Patrick McCann

I'm meeting Brian Kavanagh at Leopardstown racecourse, a few months on from his 57th birthday and just before his 20-year spell as chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland ended on Friday.

On our way to the meeting room in the new weigh-room complex, Kavanagh stops to talk to Willie Gibbons, Leopardstown's long-serving track foreman. The chat is warm and relaxed, full of insight on both sides as they discuss the events of the big weekend, a shared hosting between Leopardstown and the Curragh, where Kavanagh takes over the role of chief executive next month.

It crosses my mind that Kavanagh might prefer to continue talking to Willie rather than embark on an interview with Racing Post. But after a while we move on.

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Published on 25 September 2021inInterviews

Last updated 10:53, 27 September 2021

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