IHRB insists Oireachtas recommendations remain a priority

Irish racing’s regulatory body has insisted that the appointment of two independent members to its board is a priority issue.

Putting two new members on the board of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board was a key recommendation in a report issued in November by the Oireachtas Joint-Committee on Agriculture, Food & Marine.

The lack of gender balance on the six-man board at that time was also noted in relation to the organization.

Asked on Friday how ‘independent’ was being defined for the process, an IHRB spokesman said: “It means independent of the organization.

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“They can’t be a member of the Turf Club or the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee and they can’t be related to members of those bodies.”

It is believed that knowledge of or experience in racing isn’t a prerequisite to serve on the board.

“As Martin O’Donnell (new IHRB chairman) has said, this is a priority of the board. The appointment of the two independent board members will be made as soon as possible,” the IHRB spokesman added.

Nevertheless no timeframe is being put on appointments ahead of changes to the constitutions of both the Turf Club and the INHSC that make up the IHRB and which are necessary for the board changes.

The IHRB’s search for a new chief executive is also ongoing.

Advertising for the post began last summer ahead of Denis Egan stepping down after 20 years in the role.

The closing date for applications was at the end of September but Cliodhna Guy, the head of licensing, legal and compliance at the IHRB, continues to act as interim CEO.

It was revealed last year that enthusiasm for racing or previous experience within the industry wouldn’t be a requirement for the job.

Instead it was advertised that the requirement was for “an ambitious, focused and energetic leader with multifaceted experience across the areas of corporate governance, regulation and commercially led business.”

Punchestown

Separately, the requirement for Punchestown’s feature race on Sunday will be stamina and plenty of it.

Last year’s winner The Big Dog is one of 13 lining up for the €90,000 Hollywoodbets Grand National Trial over a punishing three and a half miles.

Jamie Codd’s mount is 8lbs higher in the ratings compared to 2021 but more importantly will be hoping for a change of luck.

Fancied for the Welsh National in December, a bad blunder in the early stages saw the reins go over The Big Dog’s head forcing him to pull up.

“I suppose the biggest plus from Chepstow was that it happened so early in the race and he came home a very fresh horse,” trainer Peter Fahey said.

“If he runs a big race we’d be definitely considering going to Aintree. Hopefully we’ll get the rub of the green this time,” he added.

Gordon Elliott has four chances in Sunday’s feature including three for the in-form Gigginstown Stud team.

Death Duty didn’t build on a promising return in the Paddy Power over Christmas when a bad blunder ruined his chance in the Thyestes.

He’s the oldest in the race but was a class act in is time and could be value to bounce back from that Gowran reverse