Jobs secured at Irish Equine Centre

Horse Racing Ireland today announced a major restructuring and refinancing of the Irish Equine Centre.

The Centre provides pathology, clinical pathology, microbiology and virology services to Ireland’s €1.7 billion equine sector.

The Centre plays a critical role in the maintenance of Ireland’s disease free status which is a key factor in international trade in bloodstock.

The restructuring and refinancing plan has been approved by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association, the Irish Equine Centre Trust and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and will secure some 60 jobs in the Naas Centre.

The restructuring plan follows the commissioning by HRI of an in-depth review of the Irish Equine Centre by Dr Noel Cawley and Ms Dairine Walsh.

That review concluded that there is an absolute need for the Irish Equine Centre and the surveillance and disease prevention work which it carries out.

Horse Racing Ireland, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association, the Irish Equine Centre Trust and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have all made future funding commitments to the Centre while discussions will shortly commence with the sport horse sector regarding its support for the Centre.

A new dedicated charge of €2.50 per race entry to be paid by owners and to go directly to the Centre will be introduced from June 1st.

Brian Kavanagh Chief Executive of HRI said: “The Irish Equine Centre is the only dedicated equine diagnostic and disease surveillance unit in the country and is internationally recognised for the service it provides.

"Horse Racing Ireland recognises the pivotal role of the Centre and this restructuring should put the Centre on a more stable footing for the future.”

John Malone Chairman of the Irish Equine Centre said: “I am pleased that the various stakeholders have recognised the strategic importance of the Centre. The new funding structures and governance arrangements will enable the Centre to build on its achievements and be a valuable resource for the equine sector into the future.”