Irish all clear for British horses RACING
THE ban on British-trained horses competing in Ireland was lifted yesterday.
It will give British horses the opportunity to race after the sport in the UK was in lockdown for six days after six horses tested positive for equine flu in Cheshire last week and a further four positives were found in Newmarket on Sunday evening.
The Irish announcement follows the French decision over the weekend to allow British horses to race in France provided they passed veterinary checks.
British-trained runners will be able to race in Ireland with immediate effect, so long as they comply with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board’s requirements, which include having been administered the required vaccine within eight weeks of their intended race.
Ireland has continued to race – with only home-based runners allowed – during the UK shutdown.
The next meeting there is scheduled for Fairyhouse tomorrow.
British trainers Michael Bell and Archie Watson sent runners over to Cagnes-sur-Mer on Sunday.
The Watson-trained Barys, ridden by Edward Greatrex, made the long trip from Lambourn to the Cote d’Azur worthwhile by landing the £24,000 Listed race on the Cagnes-sur-Mer card, leading from flag-fall to finish.
The other two British raiders were both unplaced.
Ireland’s decision will be welcomed by British-based trainers who want to get a pre-Cheltenham Festival run into their charges with the big meeting only four weeks away.
The feature contests in Ireland this weekend include the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park on Saturday, in which Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup ante-post favourite Presenting Percy could line up, and the Ladbrokes Boyne Hurdle at Navan the following day.