‘I felt embarrassed’ - Leopardstown slammed after York experience Racing journalist Johnny Ward returned from a trip to York Racecourse with a sobering assessment of Irish flat racing's flagship venue. His experience, as described on irishracing.com’s YouTube show The Irish Angle, at the Yorkshire track has highlighted what he describes as an "embarrassing" comparison with Leopardstown's current struggles to attract audiences. The York Reality Check Ward's visit to York for work the week before Royal Ascot proved to be an eye-opening experience that left him questioning the state of flat racing in Ireland. Despite York having a population roughly 10% of Dublin's, the Friday afternoon meeting drew between seven and eight thousand spectators to what Ward described as "a run-of-the-mill card." "I actually felt embarrassed being in York on the Friday, comparing it to what the Irish flat offering is in Ireland at the moment in terms of crowds," Ward revealed. "Leopardstown is becoming an absolute joke in the summer now." The Downward Spiral What concerns Ward most is the acceptance of decline at what should be Ireland's premier flat racing venue during the summer months. He describes a situation where low attendance has become normalised, creating a self-perpetuating cycle that affects the entire racing ecosystem. "You talk to bookmakers and it's so dead it's criminal," Ward explained. "If Emma [Nagle] is to bring her friend who's a young man or woman to a flat meet in Leopardstown, do you think he's going to go back or she's going to go back? There's no one there." This creates what Ward sees as a fundamental problem for the growth of the sport - new attendees are unlikely to return to an atmosphere-free environment, making it increasingly difficult to build a sustainable fanbase. Learning from York's Success Ward was particularly impressed by York's approach to creating an inclusive, enjoyable experience. The Yorkshire track allows spectators to bring their own food and drinks into the infield area for a modest charge of around £8, fostering the kind of relaxed, social atmosphere that once characterised Irish racing venues. "There was just a lovely atmosphere like they used to have on the infield in the Curragh for the Derby," Ward recalled. "They would die for this at Leopardstown - they've been looking to get a crowd like that now nearly at Leopardstown on Champions Day let alone a Friday afternoon." The Broader Impact The attendance crisis at Leopardstown extends beyond mere gate receipts. Ward points to the loss of interest from bookmakers, who are crucial to the racing ecosystem. When meetings become "completely dead," as he describes them, it affects betting turnover, media coverage, and the overall commercial viability of the sport. The situation is particularly frustrating given Leopardstown's quality as a facility. Ward acknowledges it as "a brilliant night" when it works, often enhanced by post-racing entertainment, but argues that the venue has simply "accepted now that it's done." A Call for Action Ward's solution is straightforward but requires commitment from Leopardstown's management. The new CEO, he argues, "should really be trying to get the flat back" by implementing strategies specifically designed to attract post-work crowds. His experience in York demonstrated that with the right approach - reasonable pricing, flexible policies on food and drink, and appropriate timing - flat racing can still draw substantial crowds. The challenge for Leopardstown is whether it has the will to implement the changes necessary to reverse what Ward sees as a "criminal" decline. Watch the full Irish Angle
