Intense Raffles and JJ Slevin win the BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse at the beginning of April. While attendances at a number of major racemeetings increased, the overall crowd figures for the first six months of 2024 are marginally down on last year. Photo: Caroline Norris/Racing Post
It was important for Ireland to host the World Pool on two days at the Curragh in May and June. These days bring the very best of Irish racing to an audience across the globe and we certainly look forward to the World Pool returning to Leopardstown for day one of Irish Champions Festival in September. Everything is pointing to a truly international flavour to this year’s Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, one of the season’s great races.