DR Jennifer Pugh, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board’s senior medical officer, is asking breeders and those who work in the bloodstock sector to take 10 minutes and complete an anonymous online survey on mental health.

Backed by Horse Racing Ireland, the survey aims to help the racing authorities gain a better understanding of working conditions on stud farms and their influence on mental health and wellbeing in breeders and stud farm staff.

Dr Pugh said: “It is similar to what we did previously with the jockey population. We are getting some traction from stablestaff and trainers, but the breeders are more difficult to reach, despite the help of the ITBA and social media.”