IHRB Code of Conduct for Licensees

General Principles

All licensees are expected to:

• Conduct themselves with integrity and professionalism at all times.
• Treat all individuals with respect and courtesy, regardless of their role or position.
• Adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by the IHRB and other governing bodies.

Specific Conduct Requirements

Respectful Interactions

Licensees must:

• Treat Raceday Stewards, racing officials, employees of IHRB, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and racecourses, and all other industry participants with respect during all interactions.
• Refrain from making disparaging comments about IHRB officials or Raceday Stewards.
• Avoid bullying, incivility, intimidation, or any form of belittling, disrespectful, or aggressive behaviour.
• Protect the dignity of others and treat others with politeness, respect, and kindness.

Professionalism

Licensees are expected to:

• Maintain a professional demeanour in all communications, whether in person, over the phone, or in writing.
• Address conflicts or disagreements in a constructive and respectful manner.
• Follow the established procedures for raising concerns or complaints.
• Ensure that the sport of horseracing is safe for all and free of any form of bullying and harassment.

Compliance with Rules

Licensees must:

• Adhere to the Rules of Racing and any other relevant regulations.
• Cooperate fully with Raceday Stewards and racing officials during investigations or inquiries.
• Report any breaches of conduct or rules to the appropriate authorities, providing details including who was involved, when and where it occurred, and what happened. 
• Take note that inappropriate conduct including repeated low-grade negative behaviour may result in disciplinary action by the IHRB.

Bullying and Harassment

Licensees must:

• Ensure the sport is free of bullying and harassment at every level.
• Call out individuals who engage in such behaviour and support those who have been targeted.
• Understand that bullying includes persistent negative comments, spreading malicious rumours, ongoing insensitive jokes or pranks, insulting or aggressive behaviour, ignoring or excluding an individual, unjustified and persistent criticism, and reducing someone's effectiveness by withholding information.
• Recognise that harassment includes unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic, unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, and any behaviour that creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment.

Sexual Misconduct

Licensees must:

• Ensure the sport is free of any form of sexual misconduct.
• Report any incidents of sexual misconduct to the appropriate authorities, including the police if necessary.
• Support those who have experienced sexual misconduct and report individuals who engage in such behaviour.
• Understand that sexual misconduct includes persistent unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, sexual exploitation, verbal sexual assault, intentional sexual contact without consent, deliberate exposure, voyeurism, and distributing or further spreading recordings or images of a sexual nature taken without consent.

Social Media and Online Conduct

Licensees must:

• Act responsibly when using social media and online platforms.
• Avoid engaging in any form of online bullying and harassment.
• Ensure that communications sent via social media treat the recipient and any identifiable individual referred to with dignity and respect, and that such posts are not seen to belittle, undermine or disrespect others in the industry.

Abuse of Power

Licensees must:

• Avoid abusing positions of power or responsibility.
• Ensure that no one takes advantage of those in a vulnerable position due to youth, disability, poor mental health, financial difficulties, language barriers, relocation, inexperience, isolation, or any other reason.

Discrimination

Licensees must:

• Avoid discriminating on the basis of gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion, or membership of the Traveller community.
• Promote diversity and inclusion within the sport and treat all participants with dignity and respect.

Enforcement and Disciplinary Actions

The IHRB will:

• Investigate reports of negative interactions and take appropriate action.
• Ensure that the Rules of Racing are enforced, including penalties for disparaging the IHRB or its officials or Raceday Stewards.
• Take disciplinary action against licensees who fail to adhere to this Code of Conduct, which may result in fines, suspensions, imposition of conditions on licences and/or withdrawal of licences or exclusion from the sport.

Conclusion

The IHRB is dedicated to fostering a respectful and professional environment within the horseracing industry. By adhering to this Code of Conduct, licensees contribute to the integrity, professionalism and success of Irish horseracing. If you have any questions or need further clarification on any element of this Code, please contact the IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity.