IRELAND’S Des Leadon received a warm reception at the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities conference on Monday when he suggested to the huge audience of racing officials that all sectors of the industry need to answer critics of the welfare of horses that “we are the guardians of the thoroughbred”.

Welfare is becoming a huge issue, whether it is to do with horses running on medication, use of the whip and other concerns. Tracey Crouch, a British MP and their Sports Minister from 2015 to 2018, was due to be the keynote speaker at the conference but matters at home kept her at Westminster. In a recorded address to delegates she said that racing must be aware of a societal change of attitudes.