​AIRO Racing CLG held its first Annual General Meeting as a company limited by guarantee on Thursday 26th August, 2021.  The meeting was held remotely via the online zoom webinar platform.   As per the constitution, six directors had to step down with option to put themselves up for re-election and all current members were invited to put themselves forward for election if they so desired to join the board of directors.  
There were 8 available places on the board and we received 10 nomination forms resulting in an election.  Two sitting company directors John Power and James Gough chose not to put themselves forward for re-election and we thank them for their contribution to the organisation over the years.
 
The voting process was conducted online whereby members could cast their votes remotely both prior to and at the meeting itself.   The newly elected Board of Directors members are as follows:
 
Sam Dunwoody
James Fenton
Sandra Fox
Richie Galway
Kevin Power
Richard Pugh
Patrick Roche
John Weld
 
We thank all candidates who put themselves forward for election and were heartened by the online response from members, who came out in their droves to support their chosen candidates.  We are really excited with the new board and the future of our association looks safe and secure.  The blend of youth and experience will ensure that owners continue to be represented with the best intentions and to the best of our ability. 

With effect from Thursday 19th August, Health Screening can be completed by all industry attendees on the day of the race meeting and not on the day before.

Barcodes for the race meeting will be received within approx 15 minutes of application.

New attendees (first time registrations) can also apply on the day of the race meeting.

Attendees will need to update the App via the App Store/Google Play Store for the latest version.

If an attendee has symptoms of Covid or are a close contact of a positive case they will NOT be permitted to attend that day and should contact the Senior Medical Officer to discuss before their next attendance.

If an attendee has travelled outside of Ireland in the previous 14 days other than on the EU Digital Covid Cert, and has not yet discussed this with the Senior Medical Officer, they will NOT be permitted to attend that day and should contact the Senior Medical Officer to discuss before their next attendance.

​AIRO board of directors met for a one-item agenda meeting on Thursday 22nd July, 2021 to discuss the issues raised in the  BBC Panorama documentary aired on the previous Monday night.  There was universal condemnation across the board for the abhorrent scenes witnessed during the programme.
 
UK authorities and HRI have indicated that they would support a full investigation into the practices shown at the abattoir and AIRO will advise members of any relevant updates.  It was also noted during the meeting that Brexit has effectively removed the likelihood of any Irish based horses being exported for this purpose in the future.  In relation to the microchip issue, AIRO understand that HRI together with An Gardai Siochanna have issued an investigation into this matter and again we will keep members informed with any outcomes.
 
Caren Walsh, AIRO director and HRI Representative received a vote of confidence at the meeting from her fellow directors. It was noted that Mrs Walsh has continually proven herself to be a loyal and committed racehorse owner, a huge advocate of horse welfare and a dedicated representative for owners at all levels.  
 
AIRO are extremely aware of the responsibilities of owners in respect of welfare and the after racing care of horses.  We are currently working on a proposal for a funding mechanism to help owners with rehoming and retraining of horses and are developing our website to include a section on aftercare to further assist them.  

​Further to the BBC panorama documentary ‘The Dark Side of Horse Racing’ aired on Monday evening, the AIRO would like to acknowledge the wonderful care and attention that is given to Thoroughbreds throughout the country. The vast majority of horses are afforded the highest levels of care and attention owing to the skill and empathy of many Irish trainers, stable staff and additional support professionals such as farriers, vets, physios and beyond. Furthermore, this care extends from birth far beyond the animals racing career and this is something we are proud of as an industry. 
 
The AIRO were shocked, upset and disappointed at some of the content of the recent BBC Panorama documentary and wish to advise its members that the Board of Directors intend to discuss the issues in the programme as a matter of priority. There were many distressing images shown from the UK abattoir and practices such as those do not show an appropriate level of respect and care for the animal and is condemned by the AIRO.
 
Horse Racing Ireland have called on the relevant UK authorities to make a full investigation into these malpractices which we fully support. 

We are delighted to announce, from the 6th of July, all owners will be permitted to return racing the day their horses runs. Owners and guests should continue to follow Government and HSE guidelines along with HRI Covid-19 protocols.
 
All owners will need valid AIR cards and a Health Screening Barcode to gain racecourse entry.

Ticketing has reverted to the pre-covid structure. Please visit the HRI website (www.racehorseownership.ie/tickets) for the owner ticket allocation details and procedures on how to request additional tickets.
 
Ticket Allocation 
All owners should hold valid AIR cards and request additional guest admission through the ownership website. Please note the ticketing deadlines.  
For AIR queries or to arrange replacement cards please contact the AIR on                01 676 0911.  
For details of the owner and guest ticket allocation, request extra tickets and to familiarise yourself with the relevant deadlines visit  www.racehorseownership.ie/tickets/ .
 
Important! Health Screening Registration 

• Owners and guests wishing to race in the near future are asked to register an account on the IHRB screening website/app as soon as possible.
• Due to the volume of owners this is especially important if you are considering attending the Galway Festival. 

All health screening information can be found at www.racehorseownership.ie/bcd

Race Day Access  

• For race day access all attendees must have a correctly dated barcode and a valid AIR Card/admission ticket. No exceptions can be made.
• Owners/Agents should request additional tickets through the website by the appropriate deadline.
• All attendees will need to bring photo ID.

​

AIRO are delighted to confirm, from Monday 21st of June, 4 owners per horse will be permitted to attend a race meeting when their horse runs.

​All race day attendees should follow government and HSE guidelines.
Owners need to pre- register on the IHRB screening website and apply for race day access each time they have a runner.  All registration details can be found on www.racehorseownership.ie/bcd


 

​An EGM of AIRO Racing CLG took place last night via Zoom Webinar at the ITBA HQ to count all votes on a special resolution that was circulated to members by notice dated 10th May, 2021.
 
The board are delighted to confirm that the special resolution was passed by an overwhelming majority vote of 91% in favour of the resolution and the constitution of AIRO Racing CLG is hereby approved and ratified.
 
We would like to thank all members for their involvement in this process.

AIRO were delighted with the announcement last Friday that Owners were given the green light to return racing.  It was just rewards for owners who have been steadfast in their support of Irish racing and the tireless efforts of our HRI Rep Caren Walsh and the office at AIRO who fought hard on your behalf.  


We were given a list of HRI protocols and will outline below the various steps to make your return to the racetrack as seamless as possible.  Owners must register on the IHRB screening website and apply for race day access each time they have a runner.  Please note if you registered with the IHRB to attend a race meeting in 2020 your registration will still be valid.


Registration
All owners must register with IHRB to gain admission:


First Time Registration
• If you have a smart phone, download the IHRB Health Screening app – IHRB Racecourse Access Pass – and hit Register button.  If you do not have a smart phone the screening can also carried out through their website www.medical-ihrb.com. 
• You will be required to provide contact details, upload a passport type photograph, and complete a short medical questionnaire.  Please note each attendee (e.g. fellow owner, syndicate member, wife, husband etc.) must complete the online health screening and use their own mobile number and email address, the same number or email address cannot be registered twice. 
• Once registration has been completed successfully a message saying your application is in review will appear.  You do not need to do anything else at this stage, your barcode for racing will be sent to the App and your email once approved. 


Please note: first time registration will allow you access to racing the next day.  If you are registering in advance, please ignore barcode received and apply as usual the day before you are due to go racing. 


Daily Race Day Application
If registered already owners can use the app IHRB Racecourse Access Pass to register for a race day pass.  In order to receive a barcode for racing:
• Owners must apply by 11pm the previous day.  After answering all the relevant questions, your status will be ‘in review’ or ‘pending’ which means the application was successful and you will receive a code in time for racing once approved.
• Two admissions per horse will be permitted, for example if you have two runners four people can attend.  Children can attend but will count towards the total admission per owner
• All attendees will be required, without exception, to complete the online health screening.
The Barcodes will be sent by email to the registered email address and to your Racecourse Access Pass app on completion of the health screening questionnaire.


Race Day Expectations
Owners should be cognisant that the race day experience will be vastly different from what they are used to with many restrictions as all attendees must comply with Government and HSE Guidelines and HRI Protocols.
• Owners must bring along their unique barcode with AIR Card and Photo ID to the race meeting and will be subject to a thermal screening on arrival. 
• Social Distance (2 Metres) & face coverings will apply for all attendees
• There will be no indoor access for owners
• There will be a designated briefing area for your trainer/jockey to meet you outside the parade ring before and after your race, please note the jockey may be required to weigh in first and return for consultation.
• Winning owners are allowed to access the parade ring to welcome their horse back to the winning enclosure and for the presentation.
• Outdoor refreshments will be available and owners are welcome to stay on course for the duration of the day


There is a help desk available for owners support to answer any questions you may have on 045 455601.  It is open from Mon – Fri from 10am to 4pm and on Weekends and Bank Holidays from 10am to 1pm.