BIG INTERVIEW: Darragh O'Loughlin, IHRB Chief Executive 27 February 2026 Premium

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27 February 2026

Leo Powell on 27 Feb 2026

BIG INTERVIEW: Darragh O'Loughlin, IHRB Chief Executive

After almost four years as chief executive of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, Darragh O'Loughlin talks to Leo Powell about the many challenges he and the IHRB has faced

Leo Powell

27 February 2026

Darragh O'Loughlin: "We apply the rules even-handedly and proportionately" \ Healy Racing

Darragh O'Loughlin makes a presentation to racing Andrew McKeever to mark his retirement at Down Royal last September \ Healy Racing

"Morale is good. People here get on very well together. They are professionals doing a job." \ carolinenorris.ie

"One of our key jobs is to assure public trust in horseracing, in the sport and in the industry" \ Healy Racing

More than 400 racecourse staff, IHRB officials, HRI staff and others have completed enhanced raceday safety training \ Healy Racing

There are no plans to replace voluntary raceday stewards with paid professionals \ Healy Racing

Darragh O'Loughlin and Dr Jennifer Pugh \ Healy Racing

SINCE his appointment to the role of CEO of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) in June 2022, Darragh O’Loughlin has seemed to be fire-fighting more often than anything else.

The IHRB was in the news for the wrong reasons before O’Loughlin - an experienced senior executive and regulator - was brought on board, and a number of controversies have dogged his term of office.