'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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Copy- 'I've never paid six figures for a horse and never will - I learned pretty quickly you're only one phone call away from f*** all'
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- ‘When you’re in the moment and you’re starved, you’re ready to explode - everything built up and I just lost my s**t’
- 'He must have his breakfast earlier than Willie does' - Patrick Mullins goes behind enemy lines at Gordon Elliott's yard
- 'There are tens of thousands of pounds at stake when we run these horses - which is why I'm riding them'
- 'I've never paid six figures for a horse and never will - I learned pretty quickly you're only one phone call away from f*** all'
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- ‘When you’re in the moment and you’re starved, you’re ready to explode - everything built up and I just lost my s**t’
- 'He must have his breakfast earlier than Willie does' - Patrick Mullins goes behind enemy lines at Gordon Elliott's yard
- 'There are tens of thousands of pounds at stake when we run these horses - which is why I'm riding them'