Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
2075. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider suspending horse racing during the hot weather forecast for the end of July 2022 in the interests of the equine health. [40110/22]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 is a commercial State Body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
From 1st January 2018, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) is the regulatory body for all horseracing in Ireland. Its role is provided for in the Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016 and subsequent statutory instruments.
The IHRB has informed my Department that the body has proactively taken steps to mitigate potential issues due to the hot weather through briefing raceday veterinary teams and relevant racecourse management.
The IHRB has also informed my Department that horses adapt quickly to hot weather as they have been trained in it now for a number of weeks. The effects of heat can be managed provided the appropriate resources in terms of water, and that staff with the required skills set are available at racecourses.
The IHRB have also informed my Department that they will take appropriate steps, including if necessary, calling off a race or meeting should the local circumstances require it. This will be assessed on a day by day basis by the expert teams on race tracks, such as the clerks of the courses, racecourse management and veterinarians working with the stewards.
