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Aidan, Donnacha O’Brien Banned From Attending Racetracks For Two Weeks Due To COVID-19 Protocol Violations

Aidan O'Brien will not be able to saddle his runners in person at this weekend's Juddmonte Irish Oaks meeting at the Curragh after breaching Irish racing's COVID-19 protocols.

Both O'Brien and his son Donnacha have been barred from attending any race meetings for two weeks by the Irish Horse Racing Board.

The two trainers were referred to the panel having failed to enter the Curragh through the health screening area on the day of the Irish 2,000 Guineas meeting. They were each also fined €2,500 ($2,839).

Under COVID-19 protocols brought in by Horse Racing Ireland to allow race meetings to go ahead behind closed doors, health screening is mandatory to all attendees who are required to head to to the health screen check-in area immediately on arrival.

A statement from the IHRB said: “At a referral hearing of Aidan O'Brien (Trainer) & Donnacha O'Brien (Trainer) following a referral from The Curragh on [June 12] both trainers were fined €2,500 & prohibited from attending a racecourse for two weeks for failing to enter The Curragh through the health screening area.”

The penalty will be an inconvenience to the trainers but unlikely to disrupt their big race plans with Aidan O'Brien having not attended either Royal Ascot or the Investec Derby meeting and Donnacha having not been present at Chantilly when Fancy Blue delivered the 21-year-old his first Classic victory in the Prix de Diane.

Originally published at HorseRacingPlanet.com. Republished with permission.

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Ireland To Allow Owners From July 20

In line with government guidelines and re-opening procedures, Horse Racing Ireland has ammended a number of its COVID-19 protocols, and has revealed that from July 20 up to two owners per horse will be allowed on course for their race(s).

Before that, from July 1, the prohibition on racecourse attendees over the age of 70 will be removed; the limit on journalists and photographers will be increased to five from three; one representative of associations whose attendees are permitted to be at race meetings will be allowed; and premier handicaps will be opened to international runners in addition to all black-type races under both codes.

From July 20, two owners per horse will be permitted on course for their race(s) only. At this time, racecourses will be allowed to nominate up to five attendees which could include sponsors and racecourse board/committee members. Social-distanced trophy presentations for feature race will be permitted.

Current health screening and mask requirements will remain in place, and field sizes will remain limited to 18 with the exception of some feature races.

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said, “Since we resumed racing in Ireland on June 8, the level of care and compliance with the Covid-19 protocols has been excellent and is appreciated by the Covid-19 teams in Horse Racing Ireland and the IHRB. While we’re announcing some easing of the restrictions today, it is very important that everybody continues to comply with the rules on the racecourse around social distancing and face masks, and the requirements around pre-health screening.

“We are delighted to be able to confirm today that owners will be permitted to return to the racecourse on July 20, with certain restrictions. Owners play a key role in Irish racing and their loyalty during this difficult period has been especially noteworthy, and from July 20 two owners per horse will be allowed to access the racecourse to see their horse run. We are working with racecourses around providing safe, achievable catering options for key personnel working at the racecourse and aim to have a consistent offering from July 20.”

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Prize Money Restored for Irish EBF Auction and Median Series Races

Prize money levels have been restored to their pre-COVID-19 levels for each race in the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Series and the new Irish EBF Median Sires Series, the Irish European Breeders’ Fund announced on Monday. Each race series had its prize money cut per race by €1,000 as a result of the coronavirus, but the Irish EBF stepped in to return prize money levels to pre-COVID. There are 10 Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction races and 11 Irish EBF Median Sires races to the beginning of August, with the first Irish EBF Median Sires race-now worth €25,000–beginning at Fairyhouse on Monday. Roscommon hosts the first Foran Equine Irish EBF auction maiden on June 22, with prize money of €20,000 on offer, while Navan hosts two more races in the series, each worth €24,000 on June 23.

“At this crucial time for the industry it is important to look after both of these vital race series and continue to offer connections of EBF eligible 2-year-olds valuable race opportunities,” said Irish EBF Chairman John O’Connor. “We commend Horse Racing Ireland on successfully scheduling twenty one races from both series over June and July and we look forward to seeing connections reap the many benefits on offer.”

For more information on the Irish EBF Median Sires series, the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Series and for the race schedule, please visit www.hri-ras.ie/race-planning/qualifications/.

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