'A Sunday Irish Derby is here to stay' - Curragh chief delighted with crowds despite slight drop-off on big day
The Sunday slot for the Irish Derby is here to stay, according to the Curragh's chief executive Brian Kavanagh, despite the falling attendance of 10,987, down 345 from last year when the race was run on a Saturday.
Not since Treasure Beach led home a 1-2-3 for Aidan O'Brien in 2011 had the Irish Derby been held on a Sunday and the master trainer went one better in 2023 by sending out the 1-2-3-4.
The official attendance for Ireland's flagship Flat race was 25,225 in 2015, meaning there has been a 56 per cent fall in just eight years, but Kavanagh was keen to focus on the overall three-day crowd figure of 23,653, which was up 25 per cent on last year.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inIrish Derby festival
Last updated
Copy- Stick to tradition or change direction? Leading trainers Dermot Weld and Ger Lyons divided over Irish Derby distance dilemma
- 'He was unlucky and the run opens up some options' - expert analysis of the Irish Derby
- Expert jury: how would you campaign Ambiente Friendly for the rest of the season?
- Sweet 16 for Aidan O'Brien as Los Angeles hangs tough, but do we stick or twist with the Irish Derby?
- Irish Derby: 'He'll keep improving' - Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien combine to repel the British challenge with Los Angeles
- Stick to tradition or change direction? Leading trainers Dermot Weld and Ger Lyons divided over Irish Derby distance dilemma
- 'He was unlucky and the run opens up some options' - expert analysis of the Irish Derby
- Expert jury: how would you campaign Ambiente Friendly for the rest of the season?
- Sweet 16 for Aidan O'Brien as Los Angeles hangs tough, but do we stick or twist with the Irish Derby?
- Irish Derby: 'He'll keep improving' - Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien combine to repel the British challenge with Los Angeles