HRI seek ‘radical changes’

IRISH racing has plenty to be positive about despite a testing year but “radical changes” must be made if some race tracks are to avoid going to the wall.

That was the summation yesterday of Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, at the annual HRI Awards in Leopardstown.

Seven Cheltenham winners, Ballydoyle’s 15 Group 1 successes, Rite Of Passage making it five Ascot Gold Cups in-a-row for Ireland and first Group 1 victories for Jessica Harrington, Michael Halford and Eddie Lynam were just some of the highlights, but there is no escaping the challenges being faced by racing right now