IT’S THE RIGHT CALL
Walsh says decision to press on is correct one ...for now
RUBY WALSH has defended Horse Racing Ireland’s decision to proceed with racing behind closed doors during the coronavirus crisis. Gatherings of more than 500 people have been banned by the Government until March 29 as a response to contain the spread of Covid-19 while all soccer, rugby and Gaelic games action, among a host of other sports, have halted indefinitely across the country.
However, racing chiefs have forged ahead with the racing calendar, albeit with HRI stating all events would be ‘in strict adherence to Government guidelines regarding Covid-19 and staged without members of the general public.’
The British Horse Racing Authority had announced plans for racing to continue behind closed doors in the United Kingdom but reversed that decision last week and suspended all racing until the end of April.
But Walsh, 40, who retired after a glittering career last May, feels the current arrangement in Ireland is working.
‘At race meets there is no one there about from the actual races, no bookmakers, no catering companies or anyone and because it is outdoor events, it is easier to maintain that social distancing,’ he told the Paddy Power From The Horse’s Mouth Podcast.
‘I can see why the board are doing it, but the question to think about is how long they can do it for. Racing in Ireland will only continue whilst they have the medical staff onsite and, if it continues, then it means the country doesn’t need the medical staff, which is a good thing for everybody.
‘Horse racing is more than just a sport. What most people see is the shop window at each race meet, but the list of the amount of people that are working behind the scenes is endless.
‘The Irish Horse Racing Board have trimmed the race meets back to the absolute bare essentials and it is remarkable how few people you actually need in order to run a race meeting.
‘Limerick behind closed doors was actually the most boring day in my life. There was nobody to talk to and it was just so long.
‘It was a completely different reason why racing was closed down in the UK. The ambulance service that they use are government ambulances, so they had to close down. In Ireland, they aren’t owned by the Government.’
There are strict protocols for race meetings here at present with Horse Racing Ireland maintaining earlier this month that there would be no more evening meetings for the time being and only one per day to alleviate the strain on medical resources.
Only key personnel such as stable staff, jockeys and trainers are allowed attend while overseas runners have been banned.
‘It’s under a daily review but it’s being discussed much more often than that,’ said Jonathan Mullin, HRI’s Director of Communications.
‘We’re talking about this all the time and every single meeting we have is reviewed by the IHRB (Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board) and stakeholders to make sure everyone is happy, and everyone is safe, and the protocols are being strictly followed.
‘There is a balance, you want to make sure you have as safe an environment possible for us to work in a very strange time, but equally you’re trying to keep an industry going.
‘We need to respond if things change, we’re very aware of that and there’s the medical situation where we have the Order of Malta ambulances which are a different scenario than they are in Britain. It’s run entirely by volunteers in Ireland.
‘They haven’t been put on standby yet but are here to support Irish racing as and until this situation changes.’
The situation is ever evolving but, as things stand, racing in this country, albeit under tighter protocols, will go ahead until the end of this month.
Following the March 29 Government deadline, the state of the racing calendar will be up for discussion again.
‘It is all up in the air at the moment,’ Mullin added.
‘We know that horses and people are being prepared for the big spring festivals in the Irish calendar, but this is all on a daily basis.
‘Currently, we have fixtures on every day up until March 29, that is the date that the Government has pencilled in under their protocols and we aren’t looking past that at the moment.
‘It is a nervous and anxious time for everyone involved, but in general it is a health crisis for all, and we have to put that in context.’