€1bn needed to boost Irish racecourses

The proposed €55 million investment at The Curragh falls well short of what is required. The racecourse, already, lags well behind Ascot, Cheltenham, Longchamps, Sha Tin, and Arlington, and embarassingly so.

The new Curragh should be a groundbreaking, all-seater facility, one that sets the standard for every racecourse on the planet, and does justice, finally, to those who labour, with dedication, and courage, year after year, in Irish racing, and breeding. As much as €1bn may be needed, to bring our racecourses up to a 21st century standard. A radically upgraded Tipperary, for example, could host the autumn champions weekend, being, as it is, just down the road from Ballydoyle. Up north, either Down Royal or Downpatrick must be turned into the state of the art racecourse Belfast deserves. Half-hearted mediocrity doesn’t win the Gold Cup, the Prix de l’Arc, or the Breeder’s Cup.

David Freeley