HORSE Racing Ireland formally lodged an appeal against the recent court decision which found that the foal levy could be calculated on the actual covering fee paid in each instance rather than on the advertised or ‘general applicable’ fee, which was ambiguous.

Co Kildare breeder Gerry Callanan won that case and has long campaigned for reform of the foal levy. He proposes the existing scheme be replaced by a 1% sales levy at all public auctions which, he says, would collect more money and be easier to administer.