Brian Kavanagh: 'It was tense and stressful - there had been bitterness'
Alan Sweetman talks to the outgoing chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland
I'm meeting Brian Kavanagh at Leopardstown racecourse, a few months on from his 57th birthday and just before his 20-year spell as chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland ended on Friday.
On our way to the meeting room in the new weigh-room complex, Kavanagh stops to talk to Willie Gibbons, Leopardstown's long-serving track foreman. The chat is warm and relaxed, full of insight on both sides as they discuss the events of the big weekend, a shared hosting between Leopardstown and the Curragh, where Kavanagh takes over the role of chief executive next month.
It crosses my mind that Kavanagh might prefer to continue talking to Willie rather than embark on an interview with Racing Post. But after a while we move on.
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Published on inInterviews
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Copy- 'Other trainers say how difficult it is to get staff, but I can't say the same - when people come here, they seem to stay'
- 'People love having horses with Willy rather than a miserable git like me'
- 'It's tough financially and last year I said I might get a job driving a lorry instead - although to be fair I'd probably crash!'
- 'I'm not here to tell people how to train but if you hide something from me, I'm gone, I'm done - and you won't see me again'
- 'I had to fly back from Saudi on the day for the awards before flying back the following day but it really was a great evening'
- 'Other trainers say how difficult it is to get staff, but I can't say the same - when people come here, they seem to stay'
- 'People love having horses with Willy rather than a miserable git like me'
- 'It's tough financially and last year I said I might get a job driving a lorry instead - although to be fair I'd probably crash!'
- 'I'm not here to tell people how to train but if you hide something from me, I'm gone, I'm done - and you won't see me again'
- 'I had to fly back from Saudi on the day for the awards before flying back the following day but it really was a great evening'