ELSEWHERE in this week’s paper you will read the comments of the Association of Irish Racecourses’ chairman Conor O’Neill concerning the news this week that the Government acknowledged the economic importance of maintaining a healthy and vibrant racing sector.

While we have been able to continue racing behind closed doors, the situation is not sustainable over a long period. Yet the racecourse is the stage on which our great sport is played out, and without these venues we could not continue. AIR will be making its case to Horse Racing Ireland for more support to enable our 26 tracks to function. Currently the courses are incurring significant losses.