RACECOURSES, stable staff, trainers and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board [IHRB] have committed to working with Horse Racing Ireland on drawing up and adhering to minimum industry standards and protocols which will reduce the chances of a raceday dispute similar to that which disrupted racing at Kilbeggan two weeks ago.

That incident, which saw racing delayed by over 20 minutes due to a stable staff protest over drinking water, prompted the IHRB to call this week’s stakeholder meeting in Galway on Tuesday.

The meeting was chaired by new IHRB chief executive Daragh O’Loughlin and included personnel from the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association, Irish Stablestaff Association, the Association of Irish Racecourses and the Restricted Trainers Association.

Those who attended were asked not to divulge details to the media but it is understood O’Loughlin focused more on getting agreement on how raceday disputes are handled in future rather than apportioning blame for the Kilbeggan delay.

An IHRB spokesperson said: “It was a constructive meeting and the parties present will meet more regularly in the future. All agreed to engage with Horse Racing Ireland’s industry standards committee and it was agreed there should be a protocol for the escalation of raceday disputes.”