Irish Racecourses will operate at 50% capacity from Monday 6th September

Operating all 26 courses in Ireland, the news is being welcomed by the Association of Irish Racecourses

As of tomorrow, September 6th, Irish racecourses will increase their outdoor capacity and start operating by “up to 50%.” Racecourses may also utilise 60% of their indoor capacity for hospitality purposes, however, visitors must consume food and beverages as well as provide proof of their Digital COVID Vaccine Cert under the new restrictions (DCC).

After the lifting of all COVID limitations on Oct. 22, attendance in both domains is eyed to grow to 100%.

Racegoers who have pre-registered tickets to Irish Champions Weekend, which takes place on Sept. 11 and 12, will be able to purchase them on Sept. 3; all other tickets will be available to the general public on Monday.

4,000 people are permitted to visit Leopardstown and The Curragh. On both days, there will be a mix of outdoor and inside events, with evidence of vaccination necessary for those who wish to consume food and beverages indoors on both days. A maximum of 2,000 people each day will attend the seven-day Listowel Harvest Festival from Sept. 19-Sept. 25. The event will be held outdoors and is open to the public.

Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “It has been a very difficult 18 months for everybody in society, and racing can be proud of the way it has come through it. However, without racegoers, racing has been missing one of its essential ingredients.

A statement from the association stated that like many industries, there is still much work to do, but there is no real progress and forward steps to normality. Welcoming back racegoers in measured but increasing numbers is one of those steps, and from Monday, Irish racecourses will be free to use 50% of their capacity to allow racegoers back on the track in real numbers.

“And as we know, this good news comes just in time for some of our most important race meetings: the Longines Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown and the Curragh on Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, and Listowel’s Harvest Festival which begins on Sunday, Sept. 19.

Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown on September 11th and the Curragh on September 12th will be limited to 4,000 persons each day, according to Horse Racing Ireland.

“I would like to thank all our customers for their patience and look forward to race meetings becoming just that again–a place where racegoers can meet each other in a safe environment and enjoy our great sport.”

Irish racecourses now host around 380 races a year. There are currently 26 racecourses in Ireland. Currently, 1.3 million people watch the sport each year. Owners, trainers, jockeys, stable personnel, Turf Club stewards, and officials are among the participants. Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) officials, as well as a different racecourse and other workers, would make up the support crew.

Many of the players, including the racetrack’s owners, stewards, and other employees, are working on a voluntary basis. In Ireland, horseracing is a tremendously popular activity, and it puts the country in a very positive light on the international arena, where there’s regular competition with the world’s finest.

SiGMA Americas Virtual 2021:

The SiGMA Americas Virtual show will run from the 13th to the 14th of September, 2021. Features include a fully interactive expo floor, networking chat rooms, and a high-profile lineup of panelists. Explore the agenda below or check out who’s on the floor plan.