Dundalk Stadium
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney is set to investigate the possibility of staging harness racing at Dundalk Stadium.
He said he will engage with the relevant organisations on the matter after Deputy Martin Ferris queried why the Irish Harness Racing Association’s bid to stage races in Dundalk were objected to by Horse Racing Ireland.
In his response Minister Coveney said the Irish Harness Racing Association only formed a limited company in May but were looking to progress the sport here, adding that it “could be a big sport and industry in Ireland, if managed properly.”
He said the association has applied for Ireland to become a full member of l’Union Européenne du Trot, UET, the umbrella organisation for national harness racing organisations in 22 European countries. This would open the way for Irish competitors to compete in Europe.
Deputy Ferris said it was his understanding that the French harness racing association is prepared to make a “significant investment and provide prize money” for three meetings in Dundalk if they can be arranged.
He said it was his understanding that a previous harness racing event in Dundalk was “quite successful” and questioned why Horse Racing Ireland would block future meetings.
The Sinn Féin representative said: “I have seen a letter sent to Dundalk race track from Horse Racing Ireland, stating the reasons it did not want harness racing to take place there, one of which was commercial, meaning competition. If that is the case, it is disgraceful.
“Horse Racing Ireland is an association for thoroughbreds. I do not accept that it has a right to do this, given that as a committee we allocate significant funding to it each year, as well as to the greyhound board. Many say HRI’s objections amount to bigotry and that HRI looks down on the sport. That in itself sends a wrong message.”
Minister Coveney confirmed there had been requests for harness racing meetings at Dundalk Stadium and said he would work with the relevant bodies to ensure a satisfactory conclusion to the matter.
Minister Simon Coveney
In a written answer to Deputy Ferris, he said: “The Irish Harness Racing Association requested permission from Horse Racing Ireland to stage a number of harness racing fixtures at Dundalk racecourse, one in July 2015, one in December 2015 and three in January 2016.
“The association’s intention is that the first of these events would enable the French and European authorities to conduct an audit which would guide their consideration of the association’s bid for admission to the UET. I understand that, having considered the matter, Horse Racing Ireland decided that it was not within its remit to support the staging of harness racing at an authorised racecourse and that it had a number of concerns which it communicated to the Irish Harness Racing Association.
“Against that background, my Department has written to Horse Racing Ireland to ask if it would be prepared to reconsider the specific request from the Irish Harness Racing Association to hold the fixtures in July and December 2015 and in January 2016. I stress, however, that such decisions are ultimately matters for HRI and its board.
“I spoke to the chairperson of HRI about the issue on Saturday at the derby meeting at the Curragh. We live in a horse-mad country. Horse sports such as show jumping, eventing, racing and harness racing need proper structures and regulation to make sure we have it right from a welfare point of view and that we allow the sports to grow and expand in a managed, controlled, responsible and ambitious way. That goes for harness racing the same as it does for any other form of racing. I will engage with the organisations concerned to see if we can make some progress.
“There is an opportunity for us to build something, but we need to do it in the proper way and make sure the venues are right. Whether Dundalk race track is that venue needs further discussion. There is a commitment from me to try to have structures and regulations for this industry in order that we can deal with the welfare concerns many people have and the bad image of harness racing in the minds of the public which is unfair to the sport. We can do this if we work together,” said the Minister.
Talk of the Town 