O’Brien steps up pressure in incinerator row

Aidan O’Brien has threatened to quit Ballydoyle in a row over plans to build an incinerator near his training establishment.

He believes the proposed development in Rosegreen, which has received planning permission from South Tipperary Council, will be a health hazard both to his horses and to his four children.

‘‘If it goes ahead we would not rear our family here and there’s no doubt it will affect the horses too much,’’ the record-breaking Irish trainer told the Sunday Independent newspaper. ‘‘It’s madness.

‘‘If the pollution that could be caused by this incinerator causes even a fraction of a percentage difference in the horses’ performance it is too much. You win and lose races by short heads, by the tiniest of margins.

‘‘There is no way in the wide, earthly world that anyone can say this couldn’t affect the horses’ performance. It will wipe us out here.’’