Department lifts travel ban

The Department of Agriculture has lifted the ban on the importation of racehorses from Great Britain and Northern Ireland after approving a set of disease control procedures.

The movement of horses became operational yesterday after original plans prepared by the Irish Horseracing Authority (IHA) and the Turf Club were approved last Friday.

Today's announcement explains how champion trainer Aidan O'Brien was able to fly home three of his horses from Cambridge airport last night.

It was believed the ban, imposed as part of the foot-and-mouth restrictions, was still in place yesterday evening, however, the IHA and the Government announced today the lifting of the ban became operational from Tuesday, May 8th.

'Trainers, owners and breeders received notification last Friday that plans were in place to lift the ban,' explained Department spokesman Paul Savage.

'When the facts were finalised yesterday, an application was made by Aidan O'Brien to fly hishorses back home. He did have the necessary permission,' said Savage.

O'Brien had three representatives at last weekend`s Newmarket Guineas meeting. Minardi and Darwin, featured in the 2000 Guineas on Saturday while Tonoca was the lone Ballydoyle raider in the 1000 Guineas on Sunday.

The three horses remained at Newmarket stables after their respective races but boarded a plane at Cambridge yesterday evening.

It had been expected O'Brien would leave his horses in England until the ban was lifted.

Racehorses trained in Great Britain and Northern Ireland can now race in the Republic but in a statement released today the IHA stated that this would be 'subject to strict adherence of these protocols.'