Holiday figures up

THE CURRAGH authorities are looking to the autumn to offer similar family packages to those that significantly increased their May Bank Holiday attendance on Monday.

A crowd of 5,516 was up almost 2,200 on the corresponding 2009 figure and the startling increase bucked the trend of declining attendances at Irish racecourses.

One of the reasons for the increase was a family package offer that allowed two adults entry to the racecourse for €15. The Curragh policy of allowing children in for free was continued.

“Basically it meant two adults getting in for the price of one which I think is very good value and overall it seems to have been a very positive day,” Curragh manager Paul Hensey said yesterday.

“There was a large contingent of people from Newbridge that wouldn’t normally be here and the Bank Holiday seems to fit in better with the whole family day idea.”

Hensey ruled out an immediate repeat of the pricing structure as the Curragh begins a run of major fixtures including the Guineas meetings, the Derby and the Oaks in July. But after that he said the possibility of repeating the family day theme would be examined.

Despite the crowd increase the Tote turnover of €133,000 was down from €148,000 last year while the bookmaker total was down too from €488,000 to €378,000.