Irish Horse Racing to continue behind closed Doors despite Coronavirus - (2025)

Updated: 13/05/2025

Irish horse racing continues – Coronavirus update on sports: Welcome relief for all horse racing bettors as Irish horse racing is to continue behind closed doors this weekend starting Friday at Dundalk racecourse.

Racing is among the couple of sports in Ireland to continue in the middle of the coronavirus outbreak.

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Racing in Ireland is set to continue behind closed doors despite coronavirus and after horse racing betting meets in Great Britain were suspended until the end of April.

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has actually introduced further limitations due to thecoronavirus, consisting of a maximum of one meeting a day.

HRI said its decision was taken to “keep work and incomes for people working in the industry”

It was also “on the basis of being able to achieve and preserve HSE recommendations”.

Given that last Friday, 5 meetings in Ireland have actually been held behind closed doors with access to the racecourse restricted to a variety of key workers such as stable personnel, jockeys and fitness instructors, and rigorous procedures around social distancing and sanitisation.

Under the new HRI restrictions racehorse owners will not be enabled to attend meetings while medical centers will be made available for government usage, and with the situation to be evaluated daily.

Procedures likewise consist of no evening meetings and no double meetings in order to minimize the demand for medical resources and no abroad runners will be allowed for the time being in Irish races.

“These are extraordinary and sombre times and we are seeking the best ways to support the racing neighborhood and market throughout what lies ahead,” said Nicky Hartery, chairman of HRI.

“Health and welfare of employees and market individuals is the prime factor to consider and within that context – we have presented procedures which can enable racing to continue and thousands of families who rely on the sector to maintain a livelihood.

“This will be kept under review daily and we are likewise preparing procedures for reprogramming fixtures as it ends up being required. “.

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