Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, has intervened in a dispute over the racehorse owners’ seat on the board of Horse Racing Ireland.

James Gough is the current owners’ representative on the board, having been elected by the general membership of the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners [AIRO] in 2014.

In the meantime the AIRO amended its rules so that only council members could nominate candidates for the position. With the exception of Gough, all council members are backing Caren Walsh for the seat, leaving Gough unable to contest an election.

Last month Gough took legal action to prevent the AIRO from declaring Walsh the winner and the association agreed to postpone its election meeting.

Since then the Minister has written to both parties asking them to give him submissions on the appropriate method of electing the nominee.

Gough’s term of office was due to expire this month but he will stay on the HRI board while the matter remains unresolved. A decision on legal costs is due on March 29th.