MILD weather brought out the crowds this Christmas, with Leopardstown, Limerick and Down Royal all enjoying bumper attendances for their festive fixtures. Leopardstown’s four-day meeting drew a total of 61,071 racegoers, well up on the corresponding figure of 54,891 for last year when conditions were wet and windy.

Pat Keogh, CEO at Leopardstown, said: “The good weather and high-quality racing were the key factors. Our aim is to increase the number of meetings our racegoers attend each year and if they enjoy themselves they are more likely to come back. Again we are seeing big numbers of young people coming racing - that has been one of our core strategies.”

Having lost two days of their Christmas Festival last year Limerick Racecourse had a trouble-free run this time although the ground was testing for horses. The four-day crowd figure came in at 40,238. Manager Conor O’Neill said: “The crowds have been phenomenal and I am delighted for my own team, especially after last year, that we finally reaped the reward for all the hard work.”

This was O’Neill’s third and final Christmas in charge at Limerick. He now moves to Punchestown where he takes the role of commercial manager.

Down Royal welcomed over 6,000 punters through the gates on December 26th, its highest figure in recent years.

Rain is due to spread countrywide on New Year’s Eve though Punchestown’s meeting may escape the worst of it. The rain is due to clear before New Year’s Day but racegoers at both Tramore and Fairyhouse will notice a sharp drop in temperature from recent days.