A LEGAL challenge by the Turf Club to the Horse Racing Ireland Bill looks less likely following the results of an internal Turf Club election this week.

For the first time in 20 years the election of one of the four Turf Club Stewards was put to a vote and the election saw Dublin-based owner Eamon McElroy top the poll ahead of respected National Hunt breeder William Flood.

The election saw heavy canvassing on both sides with Flood receiving significant support from Turf Club members known to be opposed to some of the Department of Agriculture’s plans for the industry. McElroy’s two-year stint as a Steward will begin on December 18th. On the same date Meta Osborne will become the first female Senior Steward of the Turf Club. Harry McCalmont is the incoming Deputy Senior Steward and former Curragh Racecourse chairman Gerry Magee is the fourth Steward of the Turf Club. The Department of Agriculture will be optimistic that this quartet, along with the four NH Stewards, will help speed up the introduction of the proposed administrative changes.