Disappointment for Irish owners as racecourse return is delayed until August 10

Owners will not return to Irish racecourses until at least August 10 after a delay to the Irish government's lockdown-lifting roadmap ruled out their scheduled return next Monday.

Confirming the news, Horse Racing Ireland chief executive Brian Kavanagh acknowledged the move was disappointing for owners but reiterated that getting them back on track remains the governing body's first priority when the government permits them to do so.

There had been an expectation that two owners per horse could return to Irish tracks from July 20 following the release of plans from HRI last month, driven by former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's announcement in relation to increasing the number of people who could attend public gatherings from next Monday onwards.

The government's intention was to increase crowd limits from 50 indoors and 200 outdoors to 100 indoors and 500 outdoors next week, but such plans are now being placed on hold until August 10 amid concerns over the spread of Covid-19.

Gowran Park: hosts one of two Irish meetings on MondayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The decision to keep crowd sizes at public gatherings at current levels means that owners will not be able to attend fixtures from next week onwards, including the Galway festival, which begins on July 27.

"Since we resumed racing in Ireland on June 8, Horse Racing Ireland has kept tandem with the government’s movement on the Roadmap for Reopening of Society and Business, and will continue to do so," said Kavanagh.

"The decision taken by the cabinet yesterday to defer Phase 4 of the Roadmap, means we will also, regrettably, have to defer our ambition to welcome owners back to the racecourse from July 20.

"I understand how disappointing this will be for owners who remain our first priority to return to the racecourse once restrictions are eased."

He added: "Plans were well advanced for this to happen from next Monday at Ballinrobe and Gowran Park, and a number of owners had already completed their online medical screening.

"However, until the number permitted at outdoor gatherings is increased by the Government to 500, only key personnel necessary to run a race meeting will be permitted on site."

Brian Kavanagh: 'Plans were well advanced for this to happen from Monday next at Ballinrobe and Gowran Park, and a number of owners had already completed their online medical screening'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

HRI had also previously revealed plans for racecourses to be allowed to nominate up to five attendees, which could include sponsors, racecourse board or committee members from July 20.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, new Taoiseach Micheal Martin warned: "The concern about the rise in cases in recent weeks is very real, the R [reproductive] number has risen above 1 in this country."

The deferral of moving to phase 4 of the government's roadmap also means that pubs, bars, nightclubs and casinos will remain closed in Ireland until August 10, although pubs currently open while serving food can remain in operation.

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