Test day for Curragh temporary facilities a success

The Curragh Racecourse hosted a test raceday yesterday in preparation for the opening weekend of the 2017 season on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th May. The objective was to satisfy Turf Club licencing requirements due to the on-going re-development of facilities.

With the O’Brien’s Champagne & Wine Bar as the only permanent facility remaining in place this season, the final touches are being put to impressive high quality marquee structures which will be in place until the development project is completed
by the end of 2018.

The structures will feature the Grand Hall with Tote, Paddy Power Betting Shop, Sports Lounge and food and beverage area and an Owners & Trainers facility which will be available for connections of runners on the day to enjoy a complimentary meal.

There will be a Hospitality Marquee over two levels to feature two restaurants with a capacity for 250 people each, a Premier Members Lounge and an exclusive area for feature race sponsors.

In addition, there will be an Artisan Food Village featuring some of Kildare’s leading food producers and a racetrack viewing stand with a capacity for 1,500 people, together with numerous screens which will be located throughout the enclosure for additional viewing.

Those in attendance yesterday included Turf Club officials, vets, doctors, farriers and other racing personnel while representatives from the trainers, jockeys, stable staff and the owners associations were also present.

The group viewed the facilities which have been put in place for this season including the refurbished stable yard.

A small group of horses galloped on the track over six and 12 furlongs

“I was impressed by the layout and facilities which I viewed for the first time and it was good to see that the track is in great condition. I am looking forward to having runners throughout the season with hopefully some winners,” commented Curragh-based trainer Willie McCreery.

“The team at the Curragh have done an excellent job with the refurbishment of the stable yard which has certainly been restored to its former glory and I am confident will enhance the experience for stable staff this year,” stated Irish Stable Staff Association chairman Bernard Caldwell.

The weighroom has been relocated to what was previously the main entrance building while the pre-parade and parade ring will remain in place for the 2017 season.