Pictures: Don MacMonagle
A NEW, state-of-the-art stable yard, part of a major development costing close on €500,000, was officially unveiled at Killarney Racecourse by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, this Sunday afternoon.
The 54-unit American barn style facility brings the total number of stables at the track to 145 and, the minister noted, the quality of the development will play a major part in attracting more top trainers and horses to the scenic course.
“Killarney is the most beautiful racecourse in the entire country. There is no place quite like it and now it is one of the most modern in terms of facilities,” Minister Creed said on the opening day of the three-day May meeting.
He said the equine industry was a global force and Ireland was on top of its game due to the vision and hard work of those involved, including Horse Racing Ireland and dedicated people like the Killarney Race Company.
Killarney Races Chairman, Gerard Coughlan, said the new stable block and the renovated existing stables is a signal of the many big improvements to come at the track.
He said his main aim as chairman will be to work more closely with the local business community and to develop stronger ties between the town and the racecourse.
“The races have a great deal to contribute to Killarney with the three annual festivals bringing 80 races over a total of 11 days. The conservative estimate is that the races are worth in the region of €6.2 million to Killarney with an additional €1.42 million in prizemoney,” he said.
Mr Coughlan said the reputation of Killarney as a top class racing venue is growing at a great pace and that will be very much in evidence on this Monday evening when impressive Cheltenham winner Rock The World – trained by Jessica Harington and now owned by JP McManus – will run on day two of the meeting.
The chairman also revealed that Killarney will seek to add to its 11 days of racing annually, whether by adding days to the three festivals or opting for a new stand-alone festival.
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