The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) and British Horseracing Authority (BHA) are pleased to announce a new equine anti-doping & medication control initiative, underpinning their common commitment to the regulation of medicine use and zero tolerance of doping in horseracing on both sides of the Irish Sea. Out of Competition Testing (OOCT) is a critical component of an effective, modern anti-doping strategy in sport. Both jurisdictions have increased OOCT in recent years, increasing access to and testing of Thoroughbreds at all stages of their careers. Building on this and reflectin ..read more

IRISH THOROUGHBRED RANKINGS 2023           OVERVIEW Ten of the 13 Group 1 races held in Ireland in 2023 were won by domestically trained horses and of these Group 1 races, three of them merited inclusion in the Longines World Listing of Top 100 Group 1 races in 2023. The Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (G1) came in as joint 6th best race in the World in 2023 with the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) ( joint 94th) and the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas (joint 98th) also included. Two Irish trained 3yo colts appear in the top ten horses of the Longines World’s Best Racehors ..read more

Following the Guinness Faugheen Novice Steeplechase in Limerick on 28 December, the Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident approaching the second last fence involving Gaelic Warrior (GER), ridden by Mr. P.W. Mullins, and Il Etait Temps (FR), ridden by D.E. Mullins. Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards took no further action. Subsequently, having become aware of comments made by Mr. P.W. Mullins in a media interview that took place immediately prior to the Stewards Enquiry relating to the incident and to conversations that Mr. Mullins purportedly had with D.E. Mullins prior ..read more

15th December 2023: The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) has today announced the publication of its Statement of Strategy for the period 2024-2027, describing it as an ambitious strategy to assure public trust in horseracing through best in class regulatory and integrity processes. The Statement of Strategy for 2024 – 2027  is built around five key strategic pillars – People, Integrity, Welfare, Digital First and Governance – and aims to deliver on the IHRB’s updated purpose: To safeguard the reputation of Irish horseracing through robust and transparent regulatory practices, imp ..read more

Wednesday, 29 Nov 2023, at 6:30 p.m. | Committee Room 3, Leinster House   Governance at Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB)   Chairman, Members of the Committee, good evening.   On behalf of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, I thank the Chair and Members of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine for the invitation to appear before you today.  I am joined by my colleagues Dr Lynn Hillyer, Chief Veterinary Officer, and Niall Cronin, Head of Communications and Strategy.   Background   The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) is an al ..read more

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) has today informed the Referrals Committee that it will not offer any evidence at the hearing of the referral in respect of the running and riding of Yuften (GB), ridden by James J Doyle and trained by Denis Gerard Hogan, in the Crowne Plaza Dundalk Claiming Race in Dundalk on 20 March 2020.   On the day of the race, the Raceday Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Yuften and heard evidence from the rider and trainer concerned. However, they felt that they could not conclude the enquiry and therefore referred the matter to the CEO ..read more

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd have today announced the provision of two new Racehorse Limb Support Kits for use in Irish horseracing.   This is the result of a collaboration between the Irish Equine Veterinary Association (IEVA) and the IHRB, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim and supported by the Irish RacehorseTrainers Association (IRTA). It is hoped that the use of these kits will enhance the comfort and clinical outcome of any horse injured on the racecourse.   The Racehorse Limb Support Kits comprise compression boots ..read more

Chairman, Members of the Committee, on behalf of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, I want to thank the Chair and Members of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine for the invitation to appear before the Committee today.  My name is Darragh O’Loughlin, Chief Executive Officer of the IHRB since June 2022. I am joined by my colleagues Dr Lynn Hillyer, Chief Veterinary Officer, and Niall Cronin, Head of Communications and Strategy.   Background The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board CLG (IHRB) was established in 2018 by the Turf Club and Irish National Hunt Steeple ..read more

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) has today announced significant changes to the penalty guidelines for breaches of the interference and whip rules. They note, however, that the rules themselves and interpretation of both interference and whip breaches will remain unchanged.   From July 3rd 2023, IHRB Raceday Stewards will implement these new guidelines, which introduce a higher entry point for Riders breaching either rule for the first time, and significantly increased penalties for subsequent rule breaches.   With regard to interference, the revised penalty guideline fo ..read more

2021 Annual Report reflects strong advances in equine anti-doping and recovery of horseracing from Covid-19 impacts The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) has today published its 2021 Annual Report – its first since the IHRB was established in 2018 and assumed the role of the Racing Regulatory Body. The report illustrates the extent of the IHRB’s work to safeguard the integrity and reputation of Irish horseracing and the welfare of its participants, both horse and human. 2021 Highlights A total of 5,982 equine anti-doping samples taken – organisation’s highest ever Twelve IHRB official ..read more