Horseracing set to continue

Horseracing will continue in Ireland for the next two weeks with a number of modifications and restrictions it was announced today by Horse Racing Ireland, including no runners from overseas.

Medical personnel and facilities will be available for Government use, there will be no evening or double fixtures and there will be a review on a daily basis

A meeting of the Board of Horse Racing Ireland agreed this afternoon that race meetings in Ireland would continue in strict adherence to Government guidelines regarding Covid-19 and staged without members of the general public. 

This decision is motivated by the need to maintain employment and incomes for people working in the industry and on the basis of being able to achieve and maintain all HSE advice and instructions.

Since last Friday, five racemeetings in Ireland have been held behind closed doors with access to the racecourse limited to a number of key personnel such as stablestaff, jockeys and trainers, and strict protocols around social distancing and sanitisation. Navan hosted a behind closed doors meeting on Saturday.

The Board reviewed the five meetings that have taken place since Friday, and recommended some extra measures:

THE SCENE AT NAVAN LAST SATURDAY AHEAD OF THE FIRST RACE

There will be no evening meetings and no double meetings - this will reduce  the draw on medical resources, a principal concern for larger racing jurisdictions with multiple meetings every day

A maximum of one meeting per day to reduce impact on resources

Jockeys’ weights to increase by 2lb from Friday, on the Flat and in National Hunt - all racecourse saunas are closed

No owners permitted to attend racemeetings

No overseas runners will be permitted for the time being in Irish races

A maximum of 30-minute intervals between races to assist social distancing

“These are unprecedented and sombre times and we are seeking the best ways to support the racing community and industry throughout what lies ahead," commented HRI chairman Nicky Hartery

"Health and welfare of employees and industry participants is the prime consideration and within that context, we have introduced protocols which can allow racing to continue and thousands of families who rely on the sector to maintain a livelihood. 

“We have consulted with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine throughout this process and we will continue to strictly adhere to the Government and HSE advice.  

"We have made it clear at all times that our medical facilities and personnel will be available for the Government to use if necessary – that will take precedence above any other consideration,” he concluded.

REVISED SCHEDULE
 
Friday 20th March -Dundalk (afternoon) 
Saturday 21st March - Thurles.    
Sunday 22nd March - Downpatrick.            
Monday 23rd March - Naas.             
Tuesday 24th March - Clonmel.    
Wednesday 25th March - Dundalk (afternoon)  
Thursday 26th March - Cork.           
Friday 27th March - Navan.                 
Saturday 28th March - Curragh.             
Sunday 29th March - Limerick