Report

Many aspects of greyhound racing will be somewhat different when we return to racing. Even though nobody knows for sure when that may be we need to prepare now.

IGOBF are in contact with IGB and a number of issues are up for discussion. Amongst these is how the Care Scheme could be expanded. IGB introduced the Care Scheme on the basis that it was the quickest way to get money to the industry with minimum administration. The Board have indicated that the scheme will be reviewed after one month and will consider ways in which it can be improved.

The racing calendar will be different to take into account the disruption to racing. What should the racing calendar look like on return to racing, should events that have gone past their date be rescheduled or forgone for this year?

On return there are ideas being put forward to hold a race meeting at each track and all funds raised along with prize money to go to the health care system, be it the local hospital etc.

Peoples thoughts and ideas are asked for on these issues and any other positive input you may have on any subject.

These issues will be discussed with the IGB this coming week so if you have input please don't dwell on it, get it on here.

Please stay safe.

Padjoe Dorney

PRO IGOBF

The Irish government invests 16 million (derived from the betting levy) in the greyhound industry per year. (Note - invests, not gives).
The benefit to the economy was estimated recently as 300 million per annum (source Jim Power Economics Ltd report).
Far from being a drain on the economy the greyhound industry is demonstrably one of the best investments that can be made with the state's funds.Fact.

So, when we see the likes of this being written:

Jon Williams
#Ireland gives greyhound industry 16m a year of taxpayers money, 1 of just 8 countries still hosting racing.

we need to put the FULL facts out there for the public to see.

While this is a good idea another idea would be to raise funds for the owners and trainers in the north and pay them back money on the 2 euro a day per race dog they should be getting.

While the IGB may not be legally responsible to do this they should do it on moral grounds, that is of course if the belief is that the dogs come first and not the politics.

The IGB will not compensate through other revenues as they elected not to give them support and this would be a backflip on their decision.

I would like to see fund raising done to help dog owners and trainers in the north feed and look after their dogs.

The Irish fighting fund has received many emails asking for help and all have come from the north. The small amount of funds that we have left will run out soon and I am really concerned how these people will cope.

I strongly suggest some sort of fund raising be put in place now before the situation gets to a desperation point.

This situation should be about the dogs and not where someone lives.

1. 42 day rule
It should be suspended as it would create a huge imposition on the entire pool of 4000+ racing dogs to have to re qualify before allowed to be entered for racing

2. SIS protocol
For a period of at least 4 weeks the cards should be made up at the discretion of the racing managers. After at least 4 meetings are run a pool of SIS dogs is created who then automatically adhere to the SIS protocol

3. Unofficial trials
After such a long lay off racing dogs have to be brought back to fitness with trials. There has to be a lead in period where tracks put on more unofficial trials than usual before any racing starts. The Shelbourne trials should be made bookable - online - same as other IGB tracks and the time slots really adhered to. No booking, no trial. That way ques are avoided and physical distancing becomes more practical.

4. Sprint racing
Because it takes much less preparation for greyhounds to obtain the required fitness for races over 2 bends rather than 4 bends after a long lay off, tracks should be encouraged to put on more sprints than usual for an initial period. That way a racing pool is created quicker and animal welfare problems (metabolic acidosis, CHR) are avoided

1) Restart racing behind closed doors ASAP with strict protocols in compliance with social distancing guidelines which at the very least mirror the GBGB protocols.

2) Review the 2 per day care payment to include the much greater greyhound population.

3) Requested one extra nights racing per week at Dundalk greyhound stadium to compensate North East and North West greyhound owners for the closure of Longford and Lifford greyhound stadiums and also the non receipt of the 2 a day.

4) Redraft a proposed new 2020 racing calendar prioritising the track classics.

5) Racing greyhounds to recommence exactly how we finished at the lockdown just like in 2001 when Ireland was in lockdown with foot and mouth.
Complete lockdown to be regarded as a void period for the 42 day rule.

6) VAT removal from greyhound feedstuff to be discussed with the finance minister.

7) Address Barking Buzz issues.

😎 Benefit meeting for health workers must be nationally coordinated and NOT behind closed doors.

9) Review weekly race night scheduling issues and race distances variations.

10) Review immediately public and private daily trial schedules taking into consideration social distancing protocols and the hot summer weather. (All to be pre booked in advance)

11) Ensure track racing surfaces of all tracks are in 100 percent top condition for post lockdown particularly after the current dry spell.

12) Indecon report to be put on the back burner during the Covid 19 pandemic.

13) Encourage more sprint races for the first and second week back post lockdown to give some owners an opportunity to get their greyhounds back to full fitness.

14) Enquire into the availability of a hardship fund.

The IGOBF brought forward the ideas and thoughts of its membership and participants in a constructive manner by conference call Monday 20/04 prior to the IGB meeting on Thursday 23/4. It is from there the IGB determine the route forward.

- The period of suspension of racing activity will be disregarded for the purposes of calculating the 42 day period that a greyhound is eligible to race under the Racing Regulations 2007.

- Any greyhound that was in time and eligible to race when racing was suspended on 24th March 2020 will remain in time on resumption of greyhound racing.

- The Board has given significant consideration to the potential welfare issues that may arise for greyhounds in a long period of racing inactivity. Accordingly, all greyhounds that were considered eligible to race on March 24th 2020, will be required, on resumption of activity, to undergo one trial (sprint trial) for welfare considerations in advance of being scheduled to race."

Above is part of the igb statement re the resumption of racing.Are they not contradicting themselves when they say they are suspending the 42 day rule yet say that all dogs have to run a sprint trial prior to returning to racing.so in effect your dog is not out of time but still has to run a regrading trial

Including the northern tracks is brilliant as is a hardship fund.

Well done to all involved.

(Update 27th April: In order to provide absolute clarity, the IGB has confirmed that greyhounds will be required to undertake an official trial (sprint) prior to resuming racing. This is necessary to address any welfare concerns that may arise.)

In order to address any queries that arise on the IGBs statement on update on proposed racing arrangements (24th April 2020) the following should be noted:

- All greyhounds will be required to undertake at least a sprint trial prior to resuming racing.

- The trial is an official trial and is recorded similar to all other official trials where a Control Steward and Racing Manager will be in attendance.

- Greyhounds eligible for racing at date of suspension of activity i.e. 24th March 2020 will not be charged for the official trial.

- Novice greyhounds who wish to race over the 525 yard distance are required, in the ordinary way, to have undertaken a 525 qualification trial prior to being listed to race over this distance.

- The period of suspension of racing is disregarded for the purpose of calculating the 42 days. If a greyhound has two weeks on his card at 24th March 2020 he will have two weeks on his card at date of resumption and will therefore have two weeks to avail of the free trial.

- To accommodate Owners and Trainers, extensive Official Trials Sessions will be put in place from date of resumption of activity, to facilitate the increased trial requirements envisaged and to comply with Covid 19 protocols
The Sprint Trial requested in advance of entry and scheduling on a Race Card is pursuant to Article 36 of the Greyhound Industry (Racing) Regulations 2007 2017 and these arrangements are imperative from a regulatory, welfare and integrity perspective in what are unprecedented circumstances

Ian, i totally agree, this is the same for all private tracks, it is difficult for any track to open behind closed doors without support. Private tracks are also losing their financial streams, through the gate, bar and restaurants. They will need support from somewhere. The federation will address this also. I only put the statements up, there is a team of representatives from each GOBA around the country working behind the scenes including both Northern Ireland tracks.

IF THATS NOT CONTRADICTING THEMSELVES I DONT KNOW WHAT IS .....

1. ANY GREYHOUND IN TIME ON 24TH. MARCH 2020 WILL REMAIN IN TIME THE 42 DAY RULE WILL BE DISREGARDED.

2. ALL GREYHOUNDS THAT WERE ELIGIBLE TO RACE ON THE 24TH. MARCH 2020 WILL BE REQUIRED TO RUN ONE TRIAL ( SPRINT ) IN ADVANCE OF BEING SCHEDULED TO RACE.

in effect you are out of time you just qualify for a free 5euro trial,yippee