Ruby Walsh: Racing owes ground staff a big debt of gratitude

As I watched Punchestown stage its 17th meeting since September last Sunday, I had to admire the effort they are making to keep going in such hard times

Ground staff wave a flag to let the jockeys know to bypass the next fence during The Use The racingtv.com Tracker Handicap Chase at Wincanton Racecourse last month. Picture: Alan Crowhurst

The figures the GAA released during the week on the losses they incurred during their first Covid-ravaged season didn’t make for pretty reading but, like any report, the devil was in the detail and the biggest reasons for the massive swing in the GAA’s finances are ones that are going to apply to some sectors in horse racing too.

Next to zero gate receipts for the entire inter-county GAA season meant Pairc an Chrocaigh CTR, the company responsible for the management and operation of Croke Park, slipped into the red for the first time since the early years after the stadium was redeveloped, incurring losses of €10.4m.