Horse Racing Ireland To Cancel Meetings With Immediate Effect

Following today’s Government announcement, Horse Racing will now suspend all meetings with immediate effect.

Statement: Horse Racing Ireland confirm that racing will cease in Ireland as of midnight tonight as per the latest Government guidelines on Covid-19.

The Board of Horse Racing Ireland will meet tomorrow morning (Wednesday) and will issue a press release soon after.

— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) March 24, 2020

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced earlier on Tuesday that all sporting events, even those without spectators, would be cancelled.

UK racing was suspended from last Wednesday, with no action anticipated before May 1 at the earliest.

All Party Parliamentary Group for the Racing and Bloodstock Industries backs suspension of racing and offers support for the industry ➡️https://t.co/RXiELNlWug pic.twitter.com/2xkHUHAiQ4

— British Horseracing Authority (@BHAHorseracing) March 21, 2020

The Taoiseach also announced new restrictions regarding the closures of non-essential retail businesses and facilities effective from midnight tonight.

They include all theatres, clubs, gyms, hairdressers, betting offices, markets, and libraries.

Speaking at a Government briefing in Dublin, he said: “We believe we need to do more to flatten the curve.