Hold your horses... Leo’s in town
His critics might think An Taoiseach is not at the races. Being one of his fans, I can categorically refute this ridiculous claim. An T will be at the Curragh in Kildare this afternoon.
Leo, who will be attending with his other half, Matthew Barrett — they were at the Spice Girls concert at Croke Park on Friday night — will be officially opening the new grandstand of the historic racecourse.
Leo and Matt apart, thousands are expected to descend on the new racecourse to witness its glorious multi-million makeover after a two-year project.
An T will watch the featured race — the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas — in the company of his Highness
the Aga Khan, her Highness (well, she was crowned winner of Dancing with the
Stars 2019) Mairead Ronan and her husband, Louis, to say nothing of legends of the field, Lester Piggott and trainer Aidan O’Brien.
The great and the good — and your diarist — will enjoy a very fine day out in Kildare with gates opening at 11am and the first race at 1.50pm.
And before I forget (and how could I?), the next big race meeting is Ireland’s answer to Royal Ascot, The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. It takes place on June 29.
So, get your duck... or horses in a row and book your tickets quick on www. curragh.ie.