'The real work starts now' - Kavanagh keeping cool in face of Covid-19 turmoil
Richard Forristal speaks to HRI chief after ten weeks of unprecedented havoc
As the world of racing and breeding has been left reeling since the seismic and far-reaching consequences of the coronavirus pandemic became clear, Brian Kavanagh has been responsible for negotiating the best possible outcome on the industry's behalf in Ireland.
Kavanagh has been chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland since its inception in 2001. It's an unprecedented tenure that has provoked no small degree of controversy in itself, given that governance guidelines recommend no CEO of a state body should serve more than one seven-year term.
His third stretch began amid considerable furore in the autumn of 2016, at which point he agreed to not seek a fourth reappointment when his reduced five-year contract expires in 2021.
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- 'I've made mistakes and there was definitely plenty of frustration - but now I'm where I want to be'
- George Scott: 'Things had to change for us to stay in the conversation - and I think it's allowed us to become relevant again'
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- 'I never dial myself down, so when I ride I still put on my mascara' - Patrick Mullins meets Aine O'Connor
- 'I've made mistakes and there was definitely plenty of frustration - but now I'm where I want to be'
- George Scott: 'Things had to change for us to stay in the conversation - and I think it's allowed us to become relevant again'
- Rose Dobbin: 'You go to the races nervous and your worst fears would come true'
- Rod Street: 'Racing spends a lot of time talking to itself in a bubble - we're not blessed with people who inhabit the wider world'