Irish racecourses chief worried insurance crisis could extend to hit tracks

Ireland's insurance crisis has been described as a cause for concern by Association of Irish Racecourses chief executive Paddy Walsh, who is monitoring the saga closely after Ireland's point-to-point and pony racing sectors have been hit hard in recent months.

All Irish tracks are understood to be fully insured at present, but Walsh suggested that the renewal of an existing group policy for several racecourses earlier this year had not been completely straightforward.

Walsh told the Racing Post: "We're all okay for the moment as far as I'm aware. I believe all racecourses have insurance put in place for this year but it wasn't that straightforward. It was tricky enough.