Daily Interview - Pat Keogh, Curragh Racecourse

Horse Racing was the first elite competitive sport to make a return this week and this weekend the stakes are raised with the running of the first two Irish Classics, the Tattersalls Irish 1000 and 2000 Guineas.

There will be live coverage on RTÉ Television, the first live sport to be shown here since March and it will also be broadcast across the UK on ITV.

There will be a real spotlight on the racecourse, even without racegoers and we caught up with CEO Pat Keogh to get the inside track on how preparations are coming along.

“Racing is the shop window for the whole industry, so the responsibility that falls on us for hosting these first meetings is significant.”

“The protocols are very clear and we just all have to make sure that everything is followed to the letter.”

“We will, of course, miss the atmosphere, the celebrations and the joy of a regular big meeting but this gives us the opportunity to showcase the sport and we are delighted to be back.”

The RTÉ coverage will be the first live sport on the national broadcaster for three months and the racing on Friday evening will also be carried across Britain by ITV.

“Our sponsors have been great and have remained very loyal and understanding added Keogh. “We are doing what we can for this year and building to have everything back at a point in the future.”