Darragh O’Loughlin Appointed New IHRB CEO

Darragh O'Loughlin has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB). O'Loughlin will begin serving in his new role on June 29. Previously, O'Loughlin was the Secretary General of the Irish Pharmacy Union from 2013 until April of this year. He also served as a Council Member of the PSI (The Pharmacy Regulator) for six years and was a board member of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

Martin O'Donnell, Chairman of the IHRB, said, “Darragh brings an exceptional combination of regulatory expertise and long experience in sectoral development and advocacy as well as stakeholder engagement at the highest level in Ireland and the EU.

“Darragh combines proven strategic, organisational and people leadership with impressive regulatory credentials and extensive stakeholder engagement experience.  We look forward to him leading the IHRB and our top-class committed team as we enter our next strategic planning phase. This will guide the organisation's priorities in addressing the evolving needs of Irish horse racing and ensuring the continued positive reputation of the sport and ongoing confidence for all stakeholders.”

O'Loughlin, a pharmacist by trade, added, “I am honoured to have been appointed to this vital role for horse racing and look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead. Ireland is rightly at the forefront of global horse racing and has an enviable reputation thanks to the great work of all stakeholders, including the excellent team at the IHRB, who have been acknowledged as best in class at what they do. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to ensure Irish horse racing and its reputation continue to thrive over the coming years.”

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Oireachtas Hearings Conclude

The last of a series of Oireachtas Hearings into horse racing in Ireland concluded on Tuesday with representatives of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine the latest to answer questions.

The independence of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) was a topic of discussion among deputies. Representatives of the IHRB were involved in two sessions this month along with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), while the Irish Racehorse Trainers' Association (IRTA) were also invited to meet the joint Oireachtas committee. This followed a number of high profile comments made in the media by trainer Jim Bolger.

“We are satisfied with the structure of the organisation and the board which is in statute in Ireland,” said an IHRB spokesperson. “This was reiterated by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine last week in the Dáil. “During our hearings, we welcomed the opportunity to detail the regulatory structure of the IHRB and to clarify matters raised by the parliamentary committee.”

Last week Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in Ireland, was asked in The Dáil if he was satisfied with the current structure of the IHRB. “I am satisfied the current structure of the IHRB is sufficiently independent to ensure maximum confidence that any allegations concerning doping, animal welfare abuses or other illegitimate activities are adequately investigated and will be followed up, where necessary,” he stated at the time.

The current IHRB board comprises of H.R.D. McCalmont (Chairman), Martin P. O'Donnell (Vice Chairman), John Byrne, Philip McLernon, J.J. Power and David McCorkell.

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