E

EXCLUSIVE

By Sean Moriarty

Killarney Racecourse, which has been named in the ‘Top Ten Racecourses to visit in the World', is calling for more clarity on what events can and cannot go ahead under the latest COVID-19 restrictions announced last week.

On Tuesday last, the Government revealed that all events that cater to crowds in excess of five thousand people could not go ahead before September 1 in an effort to contain the spread of Coronavirus.

Killarney Racecourse hosts three popular meetings every year, from May 10 to 12, July 13 and 17, and August 19 to 22.

All three fall into the latest restriction period and while there is another announcement expected from the Government by May 5, racecourse officials are calling for more clarity so they can continue to organise events or take a decision and cancel or postpone meetings.

“There will need to be more clarity given on the directive,” Megan Daly-Tyrell, the Conference and Events Manager at the racecourse, told the Killarney Advertiser.

“For example, whether sporting events can take place behind closed doors, whether events will be open to the public with limits on capacity and social distancing regulations in place. It really is too early, at this time, to speculate without clarity around these points.”

Meanwhile, The Racing Post, one of horse racing’s most influential newspapers has named Killarney Racecourse in its list of ‘Top Ten Racecourses to visit in the World'.

The newspaper invited readers to select their favourite tracks.

“Nestled close to the nearby lakes and mountains means Killarney can have its own micro-climate, but when the summer sun shines, the mountain and lake backdrop is spectacular and there is certainly no place that can offer such scenery in Ireland or Britain,” the Racing Post said.

Racing manager Philip O’Brien says he is delighted the racecourse was recognised by one of the sport’s leading publications.

“This is rewarding to all the staff that have put in the hard, unseen work that goes into keeping it as one of the most picturesque tracks in the world,” he told the Killarney Advertiser.

“With the current circumstances and uncertainty around at the moment, it’s a great boost for everyone involved in Killarney racecourse and when things do go back to normal, we will be here ready to go and looking forward to welcoming back racegoers to this idyllic racecourse. I wish everyone well during these times and hopefully, we will get back to normality sooner rather than later.”