Leopardstown to invest €12 million into racecourse facilities

Leopardstown is set to invest €12 million into racecourse facilities during 2016/17.

The investment will include a €4.7m grant from Horse Racing Ireland meaning the overall money pumped into the redevelopment of the course will reach €20m, following work carried out this year.

Among the upgrades made to the course will be a new weigh-room for jockeys, as well as a new pavillion between the parade ring and the main entrance, and a new saddling area beside the parade ring.

On the announcement chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland Brian Kavanagh said: “Leopardstown has been consistently improving its facilities over recent years and further improvements will be evident to racegoers at the forthcoming Christmas Festival.

“This final phase of work will mean that all of Leopardstown’s facilities will have been upgraded over a five year period as befits the home of some of our best national hunt fixtures and the Longines Irish Champions Weekend.”

News of Leopardstown’s further investment follows last month’s announcement of a €65 million redevelopment of the Curragh, which is set to be completed by 2018.