Horse Racing Ireland has announced that 4,000 fans will be allowed through the turnstiles on both days of the Longines Irish Champions Weekend.
It's a significant boost for Leopardstown and the Curragh, which will host the Grade One-packed cards across the weekend of September 11th and 12th.
Meanwhile 2,000 supporters can attend each day of the upcoming Listowel harvest festival while tracks will be permitted to open at 50% of outdoor capacity from next week.
"It's been a very difficult 18 months for everybody in society, and racing can be proud of the way it has come through it," HRI chief Brian Kavanagh said of the announcement. 'However, without racegoers, racing has been missing one of its essential ingredients.
“Like many industries, there is still much work to do, but there is now real progress and forward steps to normality. Welcoming back racegoers in measured, but increasing numbers is one of those steps and from Monday Irish racecourses will be free to use 50 per cent of their capacity to allow racegoers back on the track in real numbers.
“And, as we know, this good news comes just in time for some of our most important race meetings – the Longines Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown and the Curragh on September 11 and September 12, and Listowel’s harvest festival, which begins on Sunday, September 19.
“I would like to thank all our customers for their patience and look forward to race meetings becoming just that again – a place where racegoers can meet each other in a safe environment and enjoy our great sport.”
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