THE place was buzzing. Bright sun. Huge crowd, queues to get in. Betting ring packed. Queues at every food outlet, long queues for the loos. Three deep around the parade ring.
All ages, the spritely and the much less so, walking sticks, wheelchairs, they were all in the middle of it.
Margaret from Drogheda is 66 and resplendent in her bright pink suit, in case there is a Best Dressed Lady competition. Everyone is enjoying the big day. A great race meeting….
But whoa, this is Laytown not Leopardstown.
In comparison to what was supposed to be the glitz and glamour, best of the best, Champions’ Festival meeting, the Co Meath beach trumps the Foxrock one.
Saturday at Leopardstown proved a bit in keeping with the weather, just a little dull. The participants on the track matched the best, but the audience just never showed up.
On first arrival, considering the first few races were not the most appetising, there is a decent crowd in the ring. Ger Lyons’ Chantez gets a good cheer in winning the first race for the trainer, all set up in his summer hat for the big day.
On a quick circuit of the venue after the first race, there is a queue at the bar in the now much smaller-sized marquee area, problem is there is no one else there, just those in the queue.
On the mooch about from the sports hall into Hurricane’s small bar, one lad caught the mood, passing by saying, “I thought it would be busier.” The Paddy Power shop, generally a good gauge, is not very full either.
There had beeen comments in the build-up on the pre-weekend promotion but even now, around the track, there’s not a great feel or visual evidence that this is a standout meeting.
On the TV coverage, RTE’s more recent siting of the presenting podium on the far side of the parade ring, camouflages some of the empty spaces as the busier areas are in the backdrop around the ring. But the aerial shots of the betting ring can’t disguise that it doesn’t look terribly full.
”Come on, Ryan”
The big races do generate excitement in the stands. Ryan Moore could be the next honorary Irishman as he gets the “Come on, Ryan” roar in practically every race.
On TV, Jane Mangan notes that Mark Chan’s winner Green Impact, his first home-bred group winner, is from a mare he bought from Coolmore, sent back to a Coolmore stallion in Wootton Bassett, and was now beating a Coolmore favourite.
In the Matron Stakes Porta Fortuna gets the job done in terrific style. Ruby Walsh on TV noted. “The crowd has been slow to arrive but it looks as if it’s arrived” as Porta Fortuna returns. Part owner Steve Weston is thrilled with his “horse of a lifetime” in the after-race interviews.
Brian Gleeson has to make a little more effort with Japanese trainer Yoshito Yahagi, but Mr Yahagi is quick to correct the RTE man through his interpertator that Shin Emperor is not a half but a full-brother to Sottsass. He knows his horses in any language!
The Royal Bahrain Champions Stakes lives up to its expectation, probably one of the most exciting races of the year. Tom Marquand calls it “ultra special” on TV.
Ruby is still aware of what is going on around him. “Trust me, there are more people here than it looks on that shot,” he says on TV as the winner returns. It’s still not great. You want to look back at the crowd that greeted Galopin Des Champs returning after winning a four-runner Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup Chase in February.
The St Leger from Doncaster is shown on the big screen. Doncaster didn’t have top quality horses but got the crowds.
The overhead TV shots of the betting ring before the 4.35 handicap show a diminishing crowd. The official attendance figure was 10,135. Many would query that. And if you removed all those present who were connected with racing, the general public engagement seems poor.
Day 2 - Curragh
The Curragh is a very pleasant race day when the sun is out. And Sunday was such a day.
The track has made great improvements in general consumer friendly layout since the early days, even if they are hindered by flaws in the initial layout.
The big ground floor in the stand is much better, the Tote kiosk in the middle, which was just a hindrance, is moved, more seats are available, a big screen for the racing and TVs on the side to watch the French racing or Rory McIlroy’s ills in the Irish Open. The Formula 1 simulator is popular. If the area still has that Titanic ‘steerage’ appearance, people look much happier to be there now!
The lower level bar is not busy but general public access is now very good up through the first floor areas and music drifted out from the Lilywhite Lounge.
The Artane Band add a bit of atmosphere. Up behind the pre-parade ring, the Moyglare Stud kids area is popular and in a good position with the jockey simulator along side the Round Tower shop.
Behind the bookies’ pitches, the Whispering Angel garden marquee has nice music and food. In general, it just feels a livlier event though not having a fashion element is an omission. Still, if you brought a friend for the occasion, they would pass the day nicely.
It’s good to hear people, and younger people who are not familiar with the racing day, in attendance. The Treo Eile parade of retired racehorses is well introduced and keeps attention between races. Chacun Pour Soi was also introduced at Leopardstown and tucked in the corner of the pre-parade ring after the big race.
At the Curragh, Al Boum Photo, John Leeper (a son of Snow Fairy), Loaded and A Plus Tard were on display, but Tiger Roll gave his customary showing off. Any unsuspecting bystander might get a flick of his heels.
For a laugh
“Oh my God, he’s out of control,” one older lady looking on got a fright. A younger racegoer was more curious. “Where’s he going?” When it was explained he was on show in a parade. “So, he’s just kicking for a laugh?” Yep, think Tiger knows the show by now!
Racecards both days are €4 but kudos to the Curragh, theirs is a class effort and befitting a big occasion. All grooms are named in the card for the Group 1s and include jockey photos for the big race.
There’s a good mix of winners on the card: Ger Lyons, Johnny Murtagh, Hollie Doyle keep things nicley engaged.
On TV, US racing analyst and presenter Donna Brothers gives an insight into the challenges for Aidan O’Brien in preparing City Of Troy for the Breeders’ Cup. Seeing the colt up close this week, she said: “From a distance he is not an imposing horse, but up close he is over 16hh and much more imposing”. Donna says he has an “awfully good chance” in the Classic and is hugely positive on the contribution of Irish racing worldwide.
The Leger had a small field. This race, Doncaster’s classic and the Doncaster Cup are all too close but everyone enjoys seeing a quality horse like Kyprios and he gets a good reception.
The final comment went to our top trainer. Asked by Brian Gleeson after the Moyglare success. “Your reflections on yesterday?” A pause, before a smile.
”I was trying to think what happened yesterday!” Now, if Aidan has forgotten already….
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I was lucky I rode for John Oxx, Aidan O’Brien and Sir Michael Stoute. So if some little thing of each of them didn’t rub off on you, you were a bit slow. I try and say ‘I’ll train this lad like Aidan, this lad like Michael and this lad like John.’ One thing they all did was pay attention to detail.” Johnny Murtagh on RTE after his Group 2 win at the Curragh.
TRAINER SHARE OF THE SPOILS
Group 1: Aidan O’Brien 2: Joseph O’Brien 1; Donnacha O’Brien 1; William Haggas 1; Archie Watson 1;
Group 2: Aidan O’Brien 1; Jessica Harrington 1; Johnny Murtagh 1;
Group 3: Joseph O’Brien
Listed: Ger Lyons 1
Handicaps: Aidan O’Brien 1; Ger Lyons 1; Johnny Feane 1; Emmet Mullins 1;
2YO Sales race: Gavin Hernon 1