Horse Racing Ireland board ‘arrogant’ in row over CEO

The board of Horse Racing Ireland has been accused of “arrogance” in their handling of the re-appointment of CEO Brian Kavanagh.

Members of the HRI board yesterday appeared before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture to explain the circumstances that led to Mr Kavanagh, who has held the role since 2001, being reappointed for a third term despite government guidelines limiting semi-state CEOs to a single seven-year term.

Earlier this year, it emerged that HRI sought ministerial approval to re-appoint Mr Kavanagh, despite the fact that the role had not been advertised, and the board had not formally approved the request.