Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 19 November 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Operational Matters and Corporate Plans of Horse Racing Ireland: Discussion

Mr. Brian Kavanagh:

The strategic plan has it that it would be up and running in 2021. That is now looking ambitious. It would be more realistic to say 2022. We will be anxious to get it as quickly as possible for several reasons. All-weather racing keeps a whole host of small trainers in business in small rural parts of the country. With our race programme, we are trying to balance some of the biggest and successful stables in the world which have a demand for a certain type of racing with the inclusiveness of a small trainer who is trying to compete. All-weather racing has provided a strong outlet where several trainers have developed a successful business. They can buy a string of horses to race on the all-weather tracks during the winter. We see that is key to developing and continuing employment for flat trainers, in particular, as well as providing the potential for a start-up for young trainers. We are keen to get moving on this.