Good news for owners of racehorses

Owners are set to return to Irish racecourses from Monday in line with the Government’s medium-term plan for Living with Covid-19, published earlier this week starting at Listowel.

Horse Racing Ireland today announced that from next Monday 21st September owners will be welcomed back to Irish racecourses.

Government guidelines now permit racing and other outdoor events to have a limited number of spectators on the racecourse in addition to those necessary to stage the event.

With owners a stated priority for HRI, the decision has been taken to allow two people per owner to attend from next week.

Pre-meeting health screening and temperature checking will be required.

Further details will be issued to owners today relating to the specific protocols to be followed.

“We are delighted to confirm that for the first time since March 13, owners will be permitted to return to the racecourse from Monday next," said HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh.

“As all key personnel who have been racing behind closed doors since 8th June will testify, these are not race fixtures as we used to know them, and given the ongoing public health risk, it remains as important now as it ever has been, that all those attending racecourses adhere strictly to the race day protocols," he added.