The prospects for a resumption of racing in Ireland at Easter look to have disappeared with the Department of Agriculture yesterday sticking rigidly to their guidelines for coping with the foot and mouth crisis.
The Irish Horseracing Authority announced last week they had hoped to resume racing on April 14th with the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National scheduled for Fairyhouse on Easter Monday (April 16th.)
However, those hopes look to have been dashed by the foot and mouth outbreak in Co Louth and even if the virus is contained to the Cooley Peninsula it could mean the earliest possible date for racing to return would be after Easter.
A Department of Agriculture spokesman said yesterday: "As a rule of thumb we cannot be sure we have got rid of the disease until 30 days after the day of the last outbreak. Obviously the longer we can go without an outbreak the closer we can get to a definite stance but the guidelines are there and the situation as regards horse racing remains the same."
The implementation of the 30 day rule would currently mean the earliest possible resumption of racing in Ireland would be April 21st but the Department emphasise the situation is under review especially with the potential for new cases in the Republic still existing.
"It will still be a couple of weeks before we know if the containment policy in Co Louth has been successful. We have to keep our eyes on everything and at the moment racing still falls into the high risk category," the spokesman added.
That category states: "Events should not take place unless it is critical they do so and only if the organisers can ensure full compliance with the guidelines."
The Fairyhouse authorities continue to prepare for their Easter festival meeting over four days however and the track manager Dick Sheil is awaiting official information from the IHA and the Department.
He said yesterday: "Reading between the lines there could still be some hope but we are waiting for a direct statement from the IHA and the Department about when racing can resume. We're all waiting to see what will happen over the weekend but we are still preparing as if we will be starting on Easter Sunday."
An IHA spokesperson said racing's ruling body will monitor the situation over the weekend and will engage in discussions with the Department as quickly as possible.
As well as the Fairyhouse and Punchestown festivals, there is now growing concern about the impact of foot and mouth on the flat season which was due to start at the Curragh tomorrow.
The ban on racing has already impacted on some of the classic trial races but any other outbreaks of the virus in the Republic could have huge significance on the Irish Guineas races which are scheduled to be run on May 26th and 27th.
