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Owners To Return To Irish Racecourses From Monday

Owners will be permitted to return to Irish racecourses from Monday in line with the government’s medium-term COVID-19 plan published earlier this week.

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said, “We are delighted to confirm that for the first time since Mar. 13, owners will be permitted to return to the racecourse from Monday next. Owners play the most important role in Irish racing and they have had to wait quite some time to return to the racecourse to see their horses run. We have always said that getting owners back on the racecourse was our first priority and we have been working closely on this with the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners and their representative Caren Walsh.

“As all key personnel who have been racing behind closed doors since June 8 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.

“Since we resumed racing in Ireland, the level of care and compliance with the Covid-19 protocols has been excellent and it is vital that everybody continues to comply with the rules on the racecourse around pre-health screening, social distancing and the wearing of face masks or coverings at all times.”

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Irish Government Releases New COVID Guidelines, Spectators Possible

Crowds of up to 500 people will be possible at Irish racecourses, after the Irish government announced the latest COVID-19 rules on Tuesday. Ireland is at stage 2 in the government’s coronavirus alert, which allows for 200 more people at racecourses than previously. If Ireland reaches stage 1, 500 people would allowed, up from 200. If the pandemic worsens and reaches stage 3 or stage 4 in the new grading system, racing would once again go behind closed doors. At stage 5, racing, along with other sports, would cease.

“It’s not a sustainable number for a lot of racecourses but there’s provision in the legislation to engage on those issues and we will do so in the coming weeks on that,” Horse Racing Ireland’s Brian Kavanagh told Racing Post. “A total of 200 will probably allow owners and 500 doesn’t give much more leeway but we’ll look at that over the course of the coming days. We’ve followed government guidance throughout this process and will continue to do so.”

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HRI Industry Education and Training Survey Results Announced

The education and training survey results, which 699 people participated in from Nov. 4-Dec. 16, 2019, were announced by Horse Racing Ireland on Tuesday. The main challenges of all survey participants-147 employers, 482 employees and 47 students-were financial and getting time off for additional training. Other issues for employees are work hours and low income, while for employers, set-up costs and staff shortages were problems. The 2020 industry education and training strategy developed by HRI to combat these changes are as follows:

Attract people to join the racing and breeding industry
Develop people to deliver and grow their skills and career in the racing and breeding industry
Support employers to retain staff to deliver and grow within the racing and breeding industry

These priorities will provide HRI with actions to develop a range of subsidized education and training services to the entire industry to upskill, re-train and recruit/retain staff.

“This was the first time a training education survey was conducted across the horse racing and breeding industry and provided us an opportunity to hear directly from people working in the industry,” said HRI Industry Education and Training Manager Grainne Murphy. “The data provided has helped to shape and inform our training and education strategy 2020-2022.

“Improving training and education opportunities must be a shared endeavour and we hope data from this survey along with future surveys can help drive change. A huge thank you to everyone who took the time and effort to complete the survey, especially my colleagues in the Irish Stablestaff Association, the Irish Racehorse Trainers’ Association, the Restricted Trainers’ Association, the Jockeys’ Association, RACE, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board in helping us deliver this survey.”

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Britain, Ireland To Utilise Non-Standard Race Times

After being trialled in February, non-standard race times-like the 2.22 at Warwick or the 3.13 at Fairyhouse-will be permanently introduced from the start of next month. The move will provide greater flexibility and avoid race clashes and delays during busy periods. Race times for events covered by ITV will remain standardised in traditional five-minute slots whenever possible.

Richard Wayman, chief operating officer of the British Horseracing Authority, said, “The trial of non-standard times in February resulted in a reduced number of race clashes and delays on busy afternoons, which was well-received by those watching, broadcasting and betting on the sport. This also had a positive impact on racing’s finances and following further collaboration with our colleagues in Ireland and discussions with the betting industry, we believe bringing in non-standard times on a permanent basis would continue to deliver considerable benefits to our customers.

Jason Morris, Horse Racing Ireland’s director of racing, added, “HRI works closely, through SIS, with the BHA and Racing TV to optimise race times between the two countries. The use of non-standard race times, when trialled earlier in the year, proved effective in terms of reducing race clashes and enhancing broadcast coverage, improving the viewing experience for our customers. We have therefore agreed to their continuing utilisation from the start of October. As with the trial period, at the request of Irish racecourses, the first race in Ireland will retain a standard time to aid their promotional efforts.”

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