New Chairman for Curragh Racecourse
Wednesday 6th March
Padraig McManus will step down as Chairman of Curragh Racecourse Limited today having overseen the redevelopment of the racecourse and training grounds. He is succeeded by Con Cronin.
Padraig was appointed Chairman of the newly established company in 2015 and has guided the Curragh redevelopment from concept to completion. He has also overseen the reopening of the racecourse to the public after two years of Covid restrictions and more recently the emergence of the Curragh as a popular facility for non-racing events.
Con Cronin has a background in commercial property and is currently Executive Chairman of Avison Young in Ireland. Con was an international rower and successful rowing coach and served as President of Rowing Ireland for the four-year period leading up to the Rio Olympics, at which Ireland won its first Olympic rowing medal. He has also served as a Board member of Our Lady’s Childrens Hospital in Crumlin and is currently a director of Children’s Health Ireland. A native of County Kerry, Con has enjoyed success as a racehorse owner, most notably with GVA Ireland and Miss Xian.
Padraig McManus said “It has been a pleasure to serve as Chairman of the Curragh and to be involved with such a significant project for Irish racing and for County Kildare. There are so many people who contributed to the redevelopment of the Curragh and together we have delivered a modern facility that Irish racing can be proud of.”
Con Cronin commented “Horse racing is a great passion of mine, and I am honored to take up the position as Chairman of the Curragh. I must pay tribute to the wonderful work done by Padraig in bringing the Curragh to where it is today. His vision and leadership have been of great benefit to Irish horse racing, and I am looking forward to working with the team at the Curragh to continue the growth and development of both the racecourse and the training grounds.”