Simon Coveney in bid to raise profile of harness races

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has intervened to help the new Irish Harness Racing Association limited company raise the profile of its sport.

The new 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.

However, the response has not been positive, and Mr Coveney said his Department has written to Horse Racing Ireland to ask if it would be prepared to reconsider the request.