Cap of 5,000 Spectactors Imposed on Leopardstown Meet

Officials at Leopardstown Racecourse are set to assess the implications of the Irish government's announcement the evening of Dec. 17 after a cap of 5,000 spectators was imposed for Irish race meetings on the eve of the major Christmas festival period.

Following recommendations from the National Public Health Emergency Team on Dec. 16 in response to the spread of the Omicron variant, Taoiseach Micheal Martin announced that attendances at outdoor events would be limited to 50% of capacity or 5,000 people—whichever is lower—from next Monday until Jan. 30.

Such a cap would appear to create a predicament for Leopardstown considering all tickets were sold out for its four-day festive highlight, with a limit of 6,000 spectators revealed last week.

A cap of 10,000 per day had been set late last month before restrictions on indoor hospitality forced the track to reduce its daily limit.

It is understood that a number of flexi-tickets, which can be used on any day of the festival, have been sold rather than a total of 6,000 tickets for each day specifically.

Officials at Limerick, where racing takes place from Dec. 26-29, had not put a number on capacity in recent weeks.

Speaking after Friday's announcement, a spokesperson for Leopardstown told the Racing Post: "We note the government's decision and agree that public health is an absolute priority.

"With public health in mind, and prior to this latest announcement, we had already voluntarily reduced our capacity for our Christmas racing festival and put measures in place to ensure that our customers will have a safe and enjoyable experience.

"This evening's announcement gives us some certainty, and over the next 48 hours we will examine the options. All of those who purchased tickets for Leopardstown's Christmas festival will be contacted over the coming days."

COVID passes do not apply for outdoor events such as race meetings in the Republic of Ireland, although proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 is required to use indoor facilities such as dining.

Several protocols have remained in place to protect the sport's participants and spectators since the sport resumed from its initial coronavirus shutdown in June 2020.

Speaking on Friday afternoon, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board senior medical officer Dr. Jennifer Pugh said: "To protect their participants, most sports haven't fully gone back to normal in terms of changing facilities.

"Racing too has kept weighing room protocols in place to ensure the safety of riders. There are also still masks in the parade ring and other measures."

She added: "We have a very high vaccination rate among jockeys, covering somewhere between 95 and 97% of riders."

An additional 3,628 cases of COVID-19 were reported in Ireland on Friday, with 420 people in hospital (105 in intensive care units).

A 5 p.m. closure for hospitality suggested by NPHET was rejected by government. Instead, it was agreed upon that there will be a 8 p.m. curfew for hospitality and live events.