TRAINERS want the Turf Club to reverse a recent rule change which affects horses being brought to racecourses to work after racing.

Following a recent incident where a handler was injured in a racecourse stableyard the Turf Club ruled that post-race schoolers could no longer enter racecourse stables until the winner alright signal had been given after the final race.

Trainers and racecourses immediately voiced their opposition to the rule change and matters came to a head when a Group 1 winner arrived at a leading track for a piece of work only to be denied access to the stableyard and forced instead to remain in a horsebox for several hours.

Michael Grassick, chief executive of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association, said: “It was an overreaction. It’s not practical for trainers with runners on a raceday to send a second horsebox to the races with their schoolers. If stabling is available they should be allowed enter the racecourse.

“One of the reasons for schooling a horse at a racecourse is to give them experience of a raceday, so there is no point in bringing them in afterwards.”

Grassick believes that the gallopers should be accommodated where stabling is available. “This is really an issue of stableyard management. Somebody needs to make sure that there is enough space for the horses being stabled and that there are not too many horses walking around at the same time.”

This week the IRTA met with Turf Club officials to discuss the matter and a new protocol is being prepared. It is hoped that the problem can be resolved within a week.