BRIAN Kavanagh has listed the main objectives for Horse Racing Ireland as he embarks on a third term as chief executive of the racing authority.

Kavanagh has already served two seven-year terms and Government guidelines state that the head of a commercial state body should only serve a single seven-year term.

However, both the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Paschal Donohoe, have signed off on his reappointment.

Donohoe explained: “A business case was submitted to my Department by the board of Horse Racing Ireland that was strongly supported by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The case made indicated that the extension was required because of the substantial importance of the role played by the CEO of HRI in the thoroughbred horse industry, the expertise, experience and qualifications brought by the current CEO to the post and the continuity the appointment would provide for the implementation of the strategic plan for the development of this important industry.”

Yesterday, Kavanagh told The Irish Field: “I am pleased that my contract has been extended and look forward to serving the industry to the best of my ability over the next five years. The priorities for racing as I see them are:

Long term multi-annual funding solution to replace the current year-to-year basis of funding. In this regard the recent betting duty returns suggest that the yield has almost doubled since the introduction of the new offshore legislation

Completion of the current racecourse capital programme, including the major developments at the Curragh and Leopardstown, and seek establishment of further scheme to succeed the current one

Implementation of the 2016 Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Act

Develop a future strategy for all weather racing in Ireland

Grow racehorse ownership through the HRI Ownership Department

Develop a new, modern equine health campus (Equine Centre) to best serve the needs of the industry

Launch and implement a rolling strategic plan for the industry

Increase employment levels and improve staff welfare within the industry

Improve the racecourse product and support racecourses to grow attendances

Support the Turf Club to deliver world class regulatory structures for Irish racing, including the implementation of recommendations of the drug testing task force