Sir, – Ireland’s horse racing and breeding industry stands out as an indigenously inspired, labour-intensive sector that has become a global leader.
A key element to this success is a busy national hunt and flat-racing calendar.
This calendar is currently suspended until June 29th.
Other countries, also beset by Covid-19, have already reopened for racing behind closed doors. The list includes Hong Kong, Japan, parts of the US (Gulfstream, Tampa, Golden Gate), Sweden, Germany and now France.
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Today racing opens behind closed doors at Longchamp, Compiègne and Toulouse. Tomorrow it moves to St Cloud, Marseilles and Moulins.
Is there not a serious case for the Government to reconsider the length of the current Irish racing shutdown? – Yours, etc,
ANTOIN MURPHY,
Sandymount,
Dublin 4.