O’Hagan refutes reported number of slaughterings

THE chief executive of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing has refuted reports in the UK during the week that over 4,500 thoroughbreds were slaughtered in Ireland last year.

Michael O’Hagan was speaking in Prestbury Park with the Cheltenham Festival in full swing and shortly after Paul Nolan’s Noble Prince had just recorded a record-equalling tenth success of the week for Ireland and a day after a record-breaking six wins in one afternoon.

“That’s not even close to what’s going on,” he said.