New American-style stable unit to be unveiled at Killarney

Ireland's Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, will officially unveil a new 54 unit American barn-style stable development before the first race at Killarney on Sunday.

Killarney begins its season with a three-day fixture and the new stable unit will be in addition to recently upgraded stables at the track.

Gerard Coughlan, a former senior manager at the Kerry Group, has succeeded John Buckley, who held the position for 13 years, as chairman of Killarney Race Company.

Coughlan's main aim as chairman will be to work more closely with the local business community to develop closer ties between the town and the racecourse.

He said: "My aim is to secure extra racing for Killarney either by adding days to our three existing festival meetings or to opt for a new stand-alone festival, possibly in October."

Two new joint vice chairpersons, Kate O'Leary and Billy O'Sullivan, have been appointed to the company, while Con O'Mahony, a long-serving director of the racecourse and a member of the Turf Club, has been appointed company secretary.