Greyhound chief irate as horses get priority

Dog bosses want clarity over later return date

THE Irish Greyhound Board has said it is ‘at a loss to understand’ why greyhound racing has not been allowed to return at an earlier date in the same way as horse racing.

Horse racing in Ireland is set to resume next month behind closed doors, it has been confirmed.

The decision to bring forward the reopening followed talks between Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and the Government.

Horse and greyhound racing’s return had initially been due to fall into the third phase of the Government’s plan to ease lockdown restrictions, which is set for June 29.

In a statement, the IGB said it was ‘at a loss to understand’ why greyhound racing has not been included as part of the earlier return date.

‘Greyhound racing has proven its ability to run racing behind closed doors and successfully complied with all Covid-19 protocols when operating on a closeddoors basis during early March,’ said IGB chairman Frank Nyhan.

‘The strict enforcement of a oneperson, one-dog policy with a small number of regulatory personnel on site ensures a well-managed activity with all risks minimised.’

The IGB added that it will ‘seek clarity’ from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the matter.

‘The IGB is absolutely intent on ensuring that all of its tracks and stadia operate to the necessary standards while Covid 19 remains with us,’ Mr Nyhan said.

‘The arrangements are already in place, and the further enhancements proposed, ensure that the greyhound community can safely participate in racing behind closed doors and enable the greyhound racing industry to be restarted.’

Last night this newspaper sought clarity from the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Agriculture on why horse racing was given permission to return but not greyhound racing. Neither could provide an answer.

Horse racing had been scheduled to be part of the third phase of the lifting of the Covid-19 restrictions. However, a decision was taken yesterday to move it to the second phase, beginning on June 8.

Under the new rules, only key personnel will be permitted on site while attendees will be subject to a health survey in advance and thermal temperature screening on entry. Anyone presenting with elevated temperatures will be denied access and instructed to consult with their GP

Jockeys, stall handlers, medical professionals and security staff will face a mandatory order to wear face coverings, and social distancing will be strictly enforced by a dedicated Covid-19 protocol officer at each fixture.

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of HRI, said: ‘We are grateful to be one of the sectors permitted to go back to work and acknowledge the responsibility on everybody in racing to ensure the events are run in a safe way.

‘We know from our own experience in March when we safely ran ten meetings behind closed doors that racing can be staged safely within the requirements of social distancing.’

Mr Kavanagh added: ‘We will publish our full protocols tomorrow [today] and will require any key personnel necessary to run a race fixture to read the document in full. There must be full compliance with these protocols.

‘On Sunday we will release a revised fixture list up to the end of June, including confirmation on when the Classics, traditionally scheduled for this time of year, will be run.’

Andrew Coonan, chief executive of the Irish Jockeys Association (IJA), also welcomed the news. ‘This is a particularly busy and important time in the racing calendar and an additional 20 days of racing is very much welcomed,’ he said.

‘The safety of the riders, staff and the general public is paramount and once we can ensure that they are protected, I am confident we will be in a position to adhere to all the guidelines.’

‘Complied with all protocols’