The challenge was clear. A grand plan to remake Ireland’s historic home of thoroughbred horse racing, the Curragh, into one of the world’s great racing venues, fit for both royalty and the average punter.

This was the vision of the Aga Khan, racing royalty and one of the world’s richest philanthropists, and Camatic Seating would be crucial to the project. With deep connections to Ireland’s spiritual home of racing, the Aga Khan urged racing authorities and the government to undertake a redevelopment that would make the ageing Curragh facilities “the most forward-looking response to the needs of modern racing”.

Central to the plan was a grandstand with two striking new features: a stunning 7000-square metre cantilevered roof, and arena seating giving racegoers thrillingly close, unobstructed and comfortable vantage to action on the turf where horses have raced for time immemorial.

This is where Camatic came in. The company expressed serious interest at a very early stage of the project and developed relationships by travelling to Ireland to showcase its new Axiom seating system and give assurances on delivery and installation.

Plans called for maintenance-free stadium seating with a modern aesthetic and compact design yet no compromises on VIP comfort. While the sweeping grandstand roof offers some protection for the terraces, seating had to be both waterproof and with excellent UV resistance. Camatic’s padded version of the Axiom, upholstered in light grey, marine-grade vinyl, fitted the bill perfectly.

Work on the Curragh redevelopment began in 2017 and by January 2019 the Camatic team was on site, dealing with challenges posed by the Irish winter, roofing work and ongoing race meetings. By the following month, Camatic had installed almost 1,400 seats in plenty of time for the grand re-opening in May when the Age Khan officially welcomed punters to the grandstand that carries his name and Camatic’s top-quality Axiom model.