Emotional day at Navan for Peter Killeen

The last race at Navan on Saturday finished at around 5.55pm and for track manager Peter Killeen it also took him past the Proudstown finishing post for the final time.

After all the runners and riders had vacated the parade ring, Killeen took time out for an official photograph with the Meath Chronicle and a brief interview.

The chat and the snap were due to his official retirement from his role as manager.

The Malahide man enjoyed a 41-year career in Irish racing culminating last Saturday with the behind-closed-doors action at a Navan track that is rated as one of the best in the country.

"I'm a bit emotional at this stage, the last race is over and I'm stepping away from something I have enjoyed for 41 years and especially the last seven here at Navan with a great group of people," he commented.

"I've been going racing since I was a child, my father was a Racing Board official, but I began working in racing with the Tote on a casual basis.

"Then, back in December 1980 I got a permanent position with the Racing Board which at that time was based in Merrion Square, Dublin.

"One of my first tasks was preparing the betting tickets for the Tote, everything was done manually at that stage and the tickets were various colours which represented the value of the stake.

"I had to perforate those tickets and then get them to the race meetings, but all that changed as well and I was instrumental in the computerisation of the Tote.

"It was time of change and our new system was based on the French model, I had to go to each race track for the installation," he added.

He was appointed Manager of Tote Ireland Operations in 1999, a position he held until becoming general manager of Navan in June 2014.

"I got the role of operations manager in 1999 and the Racing Board became the Irish Horse Racing Authority and then what we have at the moment Horse Racing Ireland.

"Seven years ago I took on the job here at Navan, it was a track I always liked and it's a marvellous facility.

"It was a complete change for me, but one bonus was less travelling than I had with the Tote position.

"When I started we did a five-year plan for Navan and that was my initial target, to complete five years.

"It has extended to seven, but I feel it's right now to step away and hand over the reins, I am retiring although I'm not of retirement age.

"I aim to be a regular racegoer now and keep in touch with eveyone," he added.

With over 40 years experience in the racing industry, the Malahide man has seen big changes across the board, but also the closure in the 1970s of what would have been his local track at Baldoyle and then the Phoenix Park.

"Looking back over the years, I can recall attending point-to-points at Baldoyle, it's an awful shame that the track was closed," he said.

"Then there was the Phoenix Park, it was a track I really liked, even allowing for the head-on finish.

"There was a great atmosphere at the Park and it was a great place to go racing.

"The Park was almost a city centre racetrack, it was a very social place and it was a shame to see that go as well.

"All the racetracks were struggling for survival, Leopardstown, Navan, there was talk of closures, but thankfully all the tracks have modernised successfully.

"The smaller tracks, Ballinrobe for example was under threat, but the landscape has changed for the better.

"With the onset of racing on television and a more social element is now attached to a day at the races due to the excellent facilities.

"Outside of racing I have plenty of non-sporting interests and with my wife Jean we like hill walking.

"Our three children are all reared and I can say that I'm looking forward to a different perspective now to a day at the races.

"The biggest change I have seen is the safety regulations that are now in place across the board, horses, jockeys. staff, all very important.

"The success at Cheltenham this year didn't happen by accident, prizemoney in Ireland is a major factor and it helps to keep the good horses here and that's important for the industry," he added.

The new man settling in the role at Navan this week is Aidan McGarry.

He has held a number of managerial positions within HRI and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and is a graduate of the University of Limerick (BSc in Equine Science) and more recently the National College of Ireland (MSc in Marketing).

McGarry has been HRI’s Owner Relations Manager since 2017, but he is well known to Peter Killeen.

"My replacement here in Navan, Aidan McGarry, he actually came into the Tote as an intern some years ago and I remember him well," commented Killeen.

"It's a strange coincidence I suppose that he is now coming into the role in Navan.

"I know he will do a good job, he is enthusiastic and knowledgeable and there is a great team here as well so it's all looking good for Navan," he concluded.

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) CEO Brian Kavanagh reflected on Peter Killeen's career.

“Peter has given a lifetime of service to Irish racing, encompassing many significant roles in his 40-year career," said the CEO.

"He is undoubtedly one of the most familiar faces on the racecourse and will be missed by his many colleagues at Navan and HRI," he added.