Travelling community campsite impacts Ascot prep with key gallop closed for Kildare trainers

A week out from Royal Ascot on June 17, a key gallop for Kildare horse trainers remains closed after a large group from the travelling community set up a campsite on the Curragh. The Little Curragh gallop has been closed since last week for 'health and safety reasons'.

The lands at the Curragh Racecourse, including the area in which the caravans are located, are owned by the State through the Department of Defence and are leased on a long lease to CRL.

Speaking to the Racing Post, Willie McCreery said, “It's an absolute disaster. A very good gallop, a six-furlong gallop, that we always do our fast work on and various canters, is closed. And at the moment the situation is getting worse because kids from the campsite are out playing, they have dogs with them and the dogs are running after the horses and it's only a matter of time before somebody gets a fall and gets badly injured.

“It's the week before Royal Ascot and I'm pulling my hair out, having to change the routine of my horses at the last minute. We have to avoid the straight gallop on Little Curragh. About 90% of my day is on that straight gallop and it's closed.”

McCreery is far from alone in using the premier facilities on the Curragh with the likes of Conor O’Dwyer and Ken Condon also likely having their preparations impacted. 

Curragh Chief Executive Brian Kavanagh has said that he is in contact with the Department of the Defence regarding the ongoing issue.

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