Irish tracks allowed to host 500 spectators as government relaxes outdoor rules

Horse Racing Ireland chief executive Brian Kavanagh says it is at the discretion of individual racecourses as to how they wish to utilise the government's increase from 200 to 500 people being permitted to attend outdoor gatherings, such as race meetings.

Owners have been allowed to see their horses run since an allocation for 200 people at outdoor events came into effect on June 7, but the scope for 300 additional individuals on Irish tracks – revealed on Tuesday – could open the door for racecourse members and general spectators to return, depending on racecourses' policies.

"It's up to the racecourses and this will allow them a little more flexibility," said Kavanagh.

"The 200 has been adequate for owners, sponsors and racecourse needs, but the additional 300 is now a matter for each individual racecourse as to how they want to approach it."

Packed grandstands haven't been seen in Ireland since early 2020Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

He added: "We'll continue to operate the protocols but will tweak them in certain areas. I think we'll be looking to get some owners into the parade ring before races.

"As numbers going to the track increase, the temperature checking on the way in becomes more challenging – unless you've got multiple entrances like they had at the Curragh last weekend – but this is a positive step."

Proposals for greater numbers of spectators at fixtures such as the Irish Oaks, Galway festival and Leopardstown on Thursday evenings have been submitted by HRI, as well as a review of last weekend's pilot event at the Curragh, where 1,000 people attended.

Kavanagh could not put a timeline on when an outcome could be expected over whether the proposals would be accepted, but expressed his hope for a greater crowd size than the one that attended on Irish Derby day.

"We're engaging with the government about having more [than 500 people] at some other meetings in July," he said.

"The view, as we were told, was to run the trial, then review how it goes. We've submitted our review of that trial and have sought similar trials, maybe with a few more people, at some further meetings. That's in the system."

Racecourse spaces are being utilised in different ways since racing resumed behind closed doors in June 2020Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

He added: "I notice that the Leinster hurling semi-finals are now hosting up to 8,000 at Croke Park this weekend so hopefully that's consistent with the intention of the government in terms of outdoor events.

"We're happy that racecourses are safe and have a lot of experience – I was recently told we've done around 455 race meetings behind closed doors – and I think we've shown that racing is a safe activity."

Kavanagh did not expand on how many more people the proposed July trials would include, although organisers at the Galway festival have stated an intention to host 5,000 spectators a day at their seven-day summer festival, which begins on July 26.

Kavanagh said: "It was clear at the Curragh on Saturday that more people could have fitted in there safely without having any impact [on adhering to protocols]. We recognise that it's a graduated progress and that it's a matter for government to dictate."

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