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Owners to return to Irish race...

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Owners to return to Irish race tracks from Monday


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Horse owners are to return to Irish racecourses for the first time since March on Monday. 

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) confirmed the move is in line with the government's recently-published 'Plan For Living With Covid'.

As of Monday, 200 people are permitted in outdoor stadia that have an accredited capacity of 5,000 while smaller grounds will be able to admit 100 people.

HRI say that two people per owner will be allowed on the course, but will be subject to pre-entry health screening and temperature checks.

Fairyhouse and Listowel will be the first tracks to welcome back owners.

HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh said, "We are delighted to confirm that for the first time since March 13, owners will be permitted to return to the racecourse from Monday next.

"Owners play the most important role in Irish racing and they have had to wait quite some time to return to the racecourse to see their horses run.

"We have always said that getting owners back on the racecourse was our first priority and we have been working closely on this with the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners and their representative Caren Walsh.

“As all key personnel who have been racing behind closed doors since June 8 will testify, these are not race fixtures as we used to know them, and given the ongoing public health risk, it remains as important now as it ever has been, that all those attending racecourses adhere strictly to the race day protocols.

“Since we resumed racing in Ireland, the level of care and compliance with the Covid-19 protocols has been excellent and it is vital that everybody continues to comply with the rules on the racecourse around pre-health screening, social distancing and the wearing of face masks or coverings at all times."


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Brian Kavanagh Coronavirus Covid-19 HRI Horse Racing Ireland Owners

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