As you are aware sporting events to be run behind closed doors is on phase three of the government’s roadmap published on May 1st, 2020 and the IHRA have been authorised to begin racing from June 29th 2020. The IHRA have submitted a detailed application, which includes a sixty-nine-page document of racing protocols to the Department of An Taoiseach, seeking an earlier date to begin racing, and we are currently awaiting a decision on this submission.
Subsequently the race meeting planned for this coming weekend in Portmarnock has been postponed. Behind the scenes, the IHRA and its committee members continue to liaise with many public representatives from across the various political parties, who are tirelessly working on our behalf, to bring the 2020 season opening date forward. The IHRA are hopeful that the 2020 season can begin earlier than June 29thand a further update will be made later in the week.
The IHRA Board of Directors recognises the Department of Health & the Chief Medical Officer’s views and advice currently being presented to An Taoiseach in respect to public health and welfare. The IHRA will continue to work on our members behalf, with the relevant authorities, to secure an earlier racing resumption date.
Beginning from this weekend, weekly qualifying and schooling sessions for all juvenile and maiden horses will take place in all three regions of Annaghmore, Cork & Portmarnock. An entry form for these events will be opened tomorrow morning, Thursday 11th June.
Please note that these events will only be for horses, whose connections have been cleared to race and due to social distancing regulations, only horses entered and cleared will be permitted on the premises. Any exercising planned for Sunday will be deferred and connections are advised to ring the IHRA office to reschedule to an alternative day or time.
These schooling and qualifying sessions will ease the need for qualifiers once racing starts.
