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The Curragh, 16 July 2025 - The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) today announced the expansion of enhanced pre-race veterinary checks ahead of the Galway Hurdle, Galway Plate, Irish Champions Festival and the Kerry National, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of horses and jockeys across Irish racing.
Following the successful pilot initiative in 2024 involving the Galway Plate and Galway Hurdle, the IHRB will again request detailed equine medical records prior to the final entries and forfeit stage for horses in the two Galway feature races later this month. In an extension to the initiative, the same request will be in place for all horses running at the Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown and The Curragh on 13-14 September and in the Kerry National at Listowel on 24 September.
This equine welfare initiative forms part of the IHRB’s Equine Injury in Irish Racing Risk Reduction (EIIRRR) Programme, launched in 2022. The programme uses data analysis and international best practices to identify evidence-based strategies that reduce the risk of injury. Reviewing medication histories in advance allows the IHRB veterinary team to conduct more targeted assessments, particularly for horses returning from injury or extended breaks, thereby supporting safer racing outcomes.
Trainers with entries in these selected races will be requested to submit full medication records for each intended runner, covering the period from 1 January 2025.
Dr Lynn Hillyer, IHRB Chief Veterinary Officer, said: “We are delighted to once again work with Equine MediRecord to extend this welfare initiative following on from the pilot programme at Galway last year. The team at Equine MediRecord will ensure that the process remains as straightforward as possible for those trainers who wish to complete their submissions digitally.’
“Safety is a core value of the IHRB and as part of our relentless focus on the safety and well-being of our human and equine participants, this additional layer of pre-race independent veterinary oversight will complement the pre-race inspections of every horse prior to racing.”
Key Submission Deadlines:
- 22 July – Galway Plate & Galway Hurdle
- 06 September – Irish Champions Festival
- 18 September – Kerry National